How to Make Tangle Free Headphones with Embroidery Floss

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

If you are one of the millions of people fed up with tangled headphones, there is a solution. No longer will you have to spend hours untangling cords as long as you learn how to make a Chinese Staircase bracelet and have some embroidery thread.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Preparing the Headphones

1
Check for cracked wires or rips in the protective covering. Rather than spend the next 20 to 30 minutes covering your headphones with embroidery thread, only to have them break tomorrow, check their condition first. Toss any pair that is on its last legs and invest in a new set.
2
Measure your headphones, including the ear buds. This will allow you to obtain the most accurate fit.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Preparing the Thread For Wrapping

1
Cut the thread to size according to your measurements. Be sure you make a clean cut so you don’t have unraveling thread at the base of the wires.
- Cut a little extra thread, just in case.
2
Double knot the strings and wire them together. Consider starting at the base area where your headphones will plug into your audio system (or iPod).
3
Stabilize the headphone wire. Place the headphone wire with a knot in either a clipboard to stabilize it or tape it down to a hard surface. You don’t want it moving around or slipping while working on the wrapping.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Wrapping the Headphones

1
Divide the strings into threes, leaving the headphone wire in the middle.
- The division into three is recommended but you can divide it more if wished.
2
Braid. Cross one color string over the other string. Then cross it under the third. Pull the thread through the loop and push the knot up toward the top knot.
3
Continue weaving the same string in the same fashion approximately 10 to 15 more times, pushing the knot upward.
4
Grab another color string and perform the same action of weaving it under and over the other two strings. Keep the headphone wire in the middle so it begins to be consumed by the string.
5
Wrap until you get to one end of the headphones. Choose which earpiece (left or right) will be finished off with the pattern and tie a double knot toward the ear piece to secure it into place.
- Trim off any loose string so you don’t get string in your ear when you use your headphones.
6
Begin the process where the first pattern split off, to cover the other side of the headphones.
- Tie an initial double knot and then begin to weave the three strings together with the headphone wire in the middle.
- Cut and tie the other end the same way as you did the first end. Remove any loose strings.

Community Q&A

Question

Does this work with iPad chargers?

Community Answer

You could try it. It should do the same thing and look really pretty.
Question

How do I make a headphone case?

Community Answer

Check YouTube. You will find a ton of videos. You can even do a simple internet search or check out the other wikiHow tutorials.
Question

Will Sellotape do the job?

Community Answer

Yes, it will.
Question

I am currently wrapping my headphones and the braid isn't curling around it. Am I doing something wrong?

Community Answer

You have to make a four with the wire as the back, and the floss as the front. Then cross the end of the floss back through the hole in the four, then pull.

Things You'll Need

Either a new pair of headphones or your current pair, de-tangled
Embroidery thread in as many colors as you’d like, consider up to three colors for the simplest knots; you'll need enough thread to cover three times the length you will end up wrapping
A roll of scotch or masking tape; after making the initial knot you'll need to stabilize the headphones on a hard surface
A clip to clip the headphone wire with embroidery string to a clipboard (optional)