Here's what you'll need to make it:
- 72" of leather cording – 1.5 to 2mm thick
- 4 to 6 beads with large holes – 2 widths of cord pass through
- Button for clasp -- with holes big enough for cord to pass through
- Clipboard
Directions:
1. Take the cord and fold in half. Thread on the button and tie an overhand knot to hold button in place.
2. Place the button end of the cord in the clip of your clipboard.
3. Tie first knot.
4. Form a loop with the cord on the left.
5. Bring the right cord over the top of the loop. Continue with the cord, pulling it under the left-hand cord.
6. There is a 'triangle' space at the top of the two cords. Place the 'right-hand' cord through that triangle, then thread it under, over, and under the next cords. Pull through.
7. Adjust the knot so the two sides are even and it sits near the overhand knot.
8. Slide on the first bead and place it up near the knot.
8. Tie another Celtic knot, as above. Add another bead and continue until the bracelet is one inch smaller than you want the finished bracelet to be.
10. After your final Celtic knot, tie another overhand knot and pull tight.
11. Measure the diameter of the button clasp and tie another overhand knot with that distance in mind, thus creating a loop for the button to pass through.
11. Trim off ends and you have a finished bracelet!
Helpful Hints on Celtic Knot Bracelets:
• Macramé is an art of decorative knotting without using needles or hooks.
• Buttons with a shank give you a bit more 'play.' If you use a traditional button (with holes drilled through the button), make sure you leave some space between the holes and the first knot. • This knot is also known in Chinese tradition as a double coin knot or a Josephine knot. • Raw cording is a bit easier to work with – the 'finished' or 'polished' cording is a bit stiffer and takes some getting used to. • You can also make this bracelet out of cotton twine, hemp, or yarn. • For a more masculine look, tie knots one against the other, eliminating the beads. • The bracelet can also be made with two or three pieces of fiber. Be sure that your button clasp can take the two or three thicknesses of thread through the holes. • Some people find Macramé is therapeutic in nature. Pulling and working of the cords can help to strengthen the hands and arms and even loosen the joints. Some find that the process of creating with repetitive knots is meditative and brings peace and calmness of mind. Get more great craft tips and ideas from Tamara Berg at
www.tamaracentral.com.
