A Beginner's Guide to Kandi: Your Gateway to the PLUR Community
by Loana McCabe-Gould
When I went to my first music festival in the US in 2014, the first thing my rave fam taught me was how to make Kandi and trade. Since then, making Kandi has become a really important part of raving for me and I've made so many friends in the community because of that. What is Kandi and why do people trade it at raves? Here are some instructions on the different types of Kandi, what you need, and how to trade Kandi so you'll be ready for your next rave!
If you're new to the rave scene, Kandi isn't just colorful jewelry - it's a physical representation of the connections you make on the dance floor. Each piece tells a story, marks a moment, or celebrates a new friendship. Whether you're heading to EDC Las Vegas or your local festival, bringing Kandi to trade is one of the most authentic ways to connect with the rave fam.
@am.shroom
Types of Kandi: From Simple Singles to Complex Cuffs
Kandi can come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. A lot of people bring singles (the bead bracelets ravers wear) but some people also bring unique necklaces, Kandi masks, Spirit Hood charms, and even custom pieces that attach to rave bodysuits or festival tops. It's all about being creative and making someone else's day! The main types of Kandi I have seen at raves are singles, Kandi cuffs, and perlers. I'll go through each of these types of Kandi and how to make them.
Singles: The Foundation of Every Kandi Collection
Singles are the most common type of Kandi I see at raves. They take the least amount of time to make, so many ravers make dozens to trade with other people throughout the night. They're the easiest to make, so there's a lot of room to get creative with these. People use letter beads to spell out phrases like "PLUR," "Bass Face," or inside jokes with their rave fam. Sometimes you can find Kandi with cute charms or unique beads that glow under blacklights.
Pro tip: Make your singles match your outfit! If you're wearing neon green rave shorts, consider making a few singles in complementary colors. It creates a cohesive look that photographs amazingly under festival lights.
Materials you'll need: Pony beads, letter beads, string (I usually use 1mm thickness since those don't break as easily), scissors, charms or unique beads (optional). You can find all of these at craft stores or online for pretty cheap - budget around $20-30 to get started with enough supplies to make 50+ singles.
@ravebrat
Cuffs: Level Up Your Kandi Game
Cuffs are a little harder to make, and they take more time than singles - usually 1-3 hours depending on the complexity. However, I think the extra work is worth it since most people are extremely happy when they get traded cuffs! I personally love making cuffs because it gives me a lot of room to be creative. For example, last year at Paradiso Festival I made a series of Disney Princess cuffs and I got to trade those with a lot of people I just met for the first time (you can find pictures of those on my Instagram @loanabanana82).
Cuffs are statement pieces - they're wider, more intricate, and often feature complex patterns or 3D elements. When you trade a cuff with someone, you're basically saying "this moment matters." I save my best cuffs for people who really vibe with me on the dance floor or friends who introduced me to new music.
If you want to make cuffs, the best thing I recommend is looking at tutorials on YouTube or finding a friend who can teach you. I personally recommend Ginger Cand-e's YouTube channel - she does an amazing job explaining each step and has patterns for every skill level!
Materials you'll need: Pony beads (make sure you have enough of each color - cuffs can use 100+ beads each), string (depending on the size or type of cuff you will need several yards), and scissors. Charms, letter beads, unique beads, perlers, or plushies are optional but make your cuffs stand out.
@misshalcyon441
Perlers: Bringing Childhood Crafts to the Dance Floor
Remember those beads you used to make designs with and iron when you were a kid? Those are perlers, and here's a chance to make things with them again! Perler designs can range from simple shapes and emoji faces to extremely complicated pixel art of your favorite artist's logo or album artwork. Some people make perlers to put on singles and cuffs while others put them on necklaces or even attach them to festival pashminas. It's all about your personal preferences and what you want to make!
The festival scene has absolutely embraced perler art. You'll see everything from tiny mushrooms and smiley faces to massive pendants featuring detailed recreations of popular memes or DJ logos. Perlers are especially popular for themed trades - if you know your friend loves a specific artist performing that weekend, making them a custom perler of that artist's logo is guaranteed to make their night.
When I make perlers, I tape my perlers before I iron them. The heat from the iron can destroy your pegboard, so doing this will help your board last longer! Use clear tape on the top, carefully peel the design off the board, then iron the taped side first. Remove the tape once cool, flip it over, and iron the other side.
Materials you'll need: Perler beads, perler pegboard (square or circle), parchment paper (essential - regular paper will stick!), iron, and clear tape. You can find perler bead kits with thousands of beads and multiple boards for around $25-40.
@basstato with her perler and wearing Freedom Rave Wear!
Trading Kandi: The Sacred Art of PLUR
Now that you have all your Kandi, you're ready to trade them with people at raves! I set up trades with people ahead of time through Instagram or Facebook rave groups so I know what to make for them. I also bring a lot of extra Kandi so I can trade with strangers I connect with at raves (this is a good way to make new friends!). There's something magical about locking eyes with someone across the dance floor during your favorite drop, trading Kandi, and instantly having a new rave fam member.
When you trade with people, don't forget the PLUR handshake. PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, and it's an important concept for a lot of ravers! The handshake turns a simple bracelet exchange into a moment of genuine human connection.
The PLUR Handshake: Step by Step
Here's how to do the PLUR handshake properly:
Peace: Make a peace sign with your fingers and connect them with the other person's peace sign.
Love: Make a half-heart with your hand (thumb and index finger) and connect it with theirs to form a full heart.
Unity: Clasp hands like a traditional handshake.
Respect: Bring your hands together (still clasped) and slide the Kandi from your wrist onto theirs. They do the same for you.
The first time someone teaches you the PLUR handshake is a rite of passage. It might feel awkward at first, but after your first few trades, it becomes second nature. Plus, it's an amazing way to make a genuine connection even when the music is too loud to talk.
Kandi Etiquette: Unspoken Rules Every Raver Should Know
While Kandi culture is all about spreading good vibes, there are a few unspoken rules you should know:
Never ask for Kandi. Trades should be organic and mutual. If someone offers you a piece, that's when you offer one back. It's about the connection, not collecting as many as possible.
Don't trade Kandi you've received. Each piece has a story and represents a specific connection. Trading away Kandi someone gave you is considered disrespectful. If you have too many, wear them stacked up your arms or start a collection box at home.
Match the vibe. If someone offers you an elaborate cuff they clearly spent hours on, offering a simple single in return might not land well. Try to trade pieces of similar effort and meaning.
Protect your special pieces. It's totally okay to wear certain pieces just for yourself - ones from your first festival, from a best friend, or from a particularly meaningful moment. You don't have to trade everything.
Ready to Join the Kandi Community?
Making Kandi is more than just a craft - it's how you carry PLUR with you into every festival. Whether you're creating simple singles to give away by the dozen or spending hours on an intricate cuff for that special someone, every piece you make has the potential to create a lasting connection. Start simple, experiment with different styles, and most importantly, put positive energy into every piece you create.
Your first Kandi trade will probably happen when you least expect it - maybe during a particularly emotional set, or when you help someone find their lost phone, or simply because you locked eyes and both smiled. That's the magic of rave culture. Now get creating, grab your favorite rave outfits, and we'll see you on the dance floor!
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