Knotted Thread Bracelets

Knotting threads is just another form of macrame that many of you did a number of years ago, but then we used heavy cording instead of thread and made plant hangers and owls. Any bracelets were usually made with hemp or waxed thread.

It was those facts and those memories that made me remember how much I enjoyed doing all that knotting; so as rusty as I was, that's what today's project was all about.

The exact materials you will need are not exact. You can substitute and change whatever and wherever you decide to. For the bracelets I used crochet thread (it comes in different weights), cording or embroidery floss. If using embroidery floss, use all six strands as one. Hemp is also used a lot and most craft stores now carry it in a variety of colors.

For a working surface you can use a sturdy pillow such as a sofa pillow or cushion. I used a small cork bulletin board. The kitchen counter will work if you would rather stand. Or sit at the kitchen table or a work table. You will also need T pins and/or tape.

If you've not knotted before, then PRACTICE is what you really should do before cutting the threads for a bracelet. Once you get the hang of it, you're on your own.

PRACTICE

Practice is for more than just getting your knotting to look even. It will also give you a chance to see what kind of a look you get from the different threads or cords and how many strands you will want to use. Note: Yarn is not recommended as it is too stretchy.

Cut four 1-yard lengths of medium- to heavy-weight crochet thread. Knot them together at one end.

The two outside strands will be the working strands. The inside strands will be the holding strands. No matter how many cords you are using, the ones that do the knotting are the working strands and the others are the holding strands. The holding strands will not change in length. Only the working strands will get shorter.

1. Pick up the end of cord A and bring it OVER the holding cords and UNDER cord B (figure A).

2. Pull on the ends of both cords to pull the half knot up to the knot at the top (figure B).

3. Pick up the end of cord B and bring it under the holding cords and over cord A (figure C).

4. Pull on the ends to bring the second half of the knot up to the top. You have completed one square knot! (figure D)

5. Repeat the above over and over...starting with A go over and under, and with B go under and over (figure E). Keep repeating until you run out of space on the holding cords. They should be covered with square knots.

Try using two different colors alternating the colors, red, black, red, black. See what happens if you use red for the two outside cords and black in the middle. It doesn't work, does it?