Trouble Shooting Beaded Hemp Bracelets

I’ve taught everyone from young kids to older adults how to make woven hemp bracelets.

They’re fun, easy and portable craft that has so many different possibilities.  Change the type or the color of cord.  Add different beads or try combining knots to create a whole new look.

There are a few common problems that tend to crop up – most of which are easy to fix!

• The round knotted bracelet isn’t smooth, with one bump on the side – keep even tension on the three bottom strands when you’re pulling up to lock the working strand in.  The problem is the three strands are getting pulled into the knot, instead of just being covered by it.
• The flat knot isn’t flat, it’s spiraling around.  Make sure that you’re alternating sides when you’re starting each knot.  If you always start the knot with the same side, it will spiral around.
• The beaded picot knot isn’t lying flat – it’s rippling.  This is usually caused by trying to fit too many beads into too small an area of knots.  Try adding an extra plain knot between each bead and see if that helps.  You can also gently pull down on the knotted area to smooth the beads flat.  Just stroke down on the knots to move them towards the unfinished end.

*Don’t forget tomorrow is the last day to enter the Generation T contest!*

images: © C Findlay-Harder