How to Make Macrame String Bracelet Crafts
- 1). Use heavy cotton string you have on hand, hemp cord or colored satin string. Use two colors for contrast in the project, if you like. Cut two pieces of cord 10 inches long; these will be the anchor and closure. Fold the remaining piece in half at the center of the string. If you are using two colors, make this longer piece a different color than one of the shorter pieces. The other 10-inch closure piece can be either color.
- 2). Fold one 10-inch piece of string in half and lay it on a flat surface so the loop end faces down. Fold the other 10-inch piece in half and put it together with the piece you folded. Place them so the center points are together and you have a bundle of four cords with the looped ends at the top.
- 3). Lay the looped ends of the longer pieces over top of the looped end of the closure piece. Leave a 1/2-inch loop from the bottom piece down below the top of the other four pieces. This makes two overlapping loops. Bring the loop end of the bottom closure piece up and over the other two; the loop now points up and is folded over top of the two longer pieces. Reach through the loop, pull the two loose ends up through the loop, and tighten. This makes a slipknot, also known as a lark's head knot. The other four bundled cords should now be hanging from this closure piece.
- 4). Clip the ends of the closure piece in the top of a clipboard, or use a large pin to secure it to a board.
- 5). Align the two center cords together. Pull the two side cords, right and left, out away from them so you have room to work. If you are using two colors, the center cords should be one color, the outer cords the second color. Bring the right side cord under the center cords, and leaving a small loop on the right side, lay it over top of the left side cord.
- 6). Bring the end of the left side cord over the top of the two center strings, and then put it through the loop on the right side with the other cord. You now have one cord crossing over, one under the center strings, and both running through loops on either side. Pull the ends of the two outer cords to tighten the knot. This is called a half-knot.
- 7). Repeat half-knots all the way down the cord. Try to tighten them evenly on each knot so the bracelet is consistent. If you want to add a pony bead, slip it over the two center strings after a knot. Slide the bead up all the way, leaving the two outer cords to the side. Make another half-knot below the bead. This secures the bead on the bracelet. Add as many beads as you like; just make sure there is a knot between each one to separate them.
- 8). Check the length of the bracelet against your wrist or continue knotting until you reach the desired length. A standard woman's bracelet is 7 inches, and a man's bracelet is 8 inches. When you reach the end, gather all four strings together. Make a loop tight against the end of the bracelet and pull the ends of all four strings through. This knot will hold the closure end to the bracelet. Trim off excess cord from this knot.
- 9). Release the closure piece from the pin or clipboard. With the two pieces together, make a loop and knot the cord 2 inches above the top end of the bracelet. Make another knot 1/2 inch from the first knot. Clip off the excess ends. Wrap the bracelet around your wrist. Open the larger loop on the closure piece. Slip the large knot you made at the other end of the bracelet through it. This makes the clasp for the bracelet.
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