handmade rope necklace with cork button customizable 3461

 The rope is handmade on a workbench size rope machine. It's a twisted set of three pairs of cotton yarn creating a substantial but soft 4 mm rope.

The cork button is integrated with the rope making process so it is secured by the loops passing though the holes before the lay-up process begins.

 The rope is about 37" long allowing for several possible customizations:
- single length longer necklace
- doubled choker style necklace
- triple wrap bracelet

Buyer can specify the length of the loop and a spliced binding will be added to finish off the piece.

available here

similar designs available here


design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

marsala bone bangle small 3460

 carved bangle Marsala
lightweight rugged style

This bracelet is part of the Handmade Artifacts project which seeks to re-create ancient forms in modern materials.

 2 3/8" x 2" oval shape
6 7/8" inside circumference

Available here

similar designs

carved Marsala bangle - larger size
small marsala cuff
chieftain cuff

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

plain white bangle 3474 PVC plastic bracelet

simple classic circular form
hand carved low dome shape
rugged substantial material
white color

This bracelet is part of the Handmade Artifacts project which re-creates classic and ancient forms in modern materials.

9 3/8" (238 mm) circumference
3" (77mm) diameter
1 1/8" (28 mm) wide

will fit a larger person's wrist or a smaller person's upper arm (bicep) area

Available soon ARTiFactSite

similar white bone bangles 


design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

simple marsala bangle upper arm bracelet stacking bangle 3459

simple thin bangle stained marsala red
hand carved and finished
lightweight rugged
stackable

These bracelets are part of the Handmade Artifacts project that explores the inherited forms of design with modern materials. The materials are pvc plastic that has been stained a deep marsala red.

 shown here with carved bangle 3458

Available here on the ArtifactSite

chieftain cuff
small marsala cuff
bone bangles


design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

bone bangles sculpted slender bracelets 3463

thin carved thermoplastic shapes
individually unique but similar

These bracelets are part of the Handmade Artifacts project which explores the development of ancient design forms in modern materials.

lightweight rugged
hand sculpted style
no animal products used
entirely and individually handmade

series "a" through "h" available here


previous series of bone bangles here
available here

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

desert ochre open back pvc cuff bracelet 3455

 Hand carved incised pattern based on traditional basket weave design
Rugged thermoplastic materials
Desert ochre stain

This bracelet is one of the Handmade Artifacts collection which re-interprets the heritage of cultural objects in modern materials.

 size is a "medium"
7 7/8" (187 mm) inside circumference can be expanded to about 8" (203 mm) to slip on over the hand

oval interior shape 2" x 2 5/8"

1 3/4" (44 mm) wide

available here


carved bangle - large
small marsala cuff

similar white bone bangles 



design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

carved bangle 3458

Solid pvc plastic bangle style bracelet stained Marsala red. Neo-primitive design incised before the staining process so the color penetrates all the surfaces. Interior edges are sanded smooth for comfort.

This is one example of a piece that is part of the Handmade Artifacts project which re-imagines the inherited forms from our history into new objects made with contemporary materials.

 Size extra large 9 1/4" (234 mm) inside circumference
3" (72 mm) inside diameter
3/4" (20 mm) wide

will fit a larger wrist or upper arm perfect for stacking with a collection of bangles

Available here

Similar designs you might like:

chieftain cuff
small marsala cuff
similar white bone bangles 


design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

small Marsala cuff bracelet 3457

 Simple form made from pvc thermoplastic and stained Marsala red color. Open back and oval shape allows this cuff to be placed over a smaller wrist.

Elemental form simple shapes evoking the cultural heritage of ancient design. This is part of the Handmade Artifacts project re-creating simple powerful things using modern materials.

 Relaxed size 6 1/2" (165 mm) inside circumference
1 3/8" (33 mm) x 2 1/4" (57 mm) oval

1 3/16" (30 mm) wide

Available here


carved Marsala bangle - larger size


similar white bone bangles 


design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

beaded rope bracelet 3452

 Off white braided cord bound together with rows of glass beads made into a slip on bangle style bracelet. The two large beads look like a toggle closure but are actually sewn in place.

High strength nylon thread is used to compress the cord and secure the beads.

 size large 8 1/4" (209 mm) inside circumference
2 5/8" (67 mm) diameter

available soon


similar designs available here

custom work available




design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

black beaded slip on cuff 3451

 Black on black...laminated polyester cord with a center ridge of beads forming a slip on bangle style bracelet.

37 beads at the center
8 layers of cord on each side

Part of the new Handmade Artifacts project recalling the heritage of ancient forms re-creating and re-interpreting old ideas in modern materials.

 extra large size 8 1/4" (209 mm) inside circumference; 2 5/8" (67 mm) diameter

lightweight and flexible

available soon in a new venue!

similar designs available here

custom work available





design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

turks head tutorials and DIY materials

Classic three part rope bracelet - There are any number of tutorials showing how to do this most basic design. Here are a few that I like:

Jan Brett's Sailor Bracelet site is a nice simple single page illustration of how to make a classic three part rope bracelet. 

Alan Folsom's page is another great source for instructions on tying turks heads. How to Tie a Turkshead will get you started. (click on the link then select from the list on the left side of the page)

This Panda Hall site is one of many that show the process using a satin cord to make a low profile three part bracelet:
How to Tie a Sailor Knot Friendship Bracelet with Only One Rope

If you need materials this kit will provide a 10 ft piece of cotton cord and my one-page published instruction sheet:
DIY rope bracelet kit

A slightly more complex four part turks head knot is shown in this illustrated tutorial:
11x4x3 turks head knot tutorial

For those of you advanced knotters this 13 part tutorial will challenge your hand-eye coordination:
building a 13 part turks head bracelet


If you are looking for a more unusual design try this herringbone weave tutorial:
Making a herringbone pattern bracelet



These bigger projects require more cord that the basic kits so you may want to order in bulk. This listing offers a choice of colors in longer lengths suitable for the 13 part and herringbone projects or as a way to economize for a knotting party.

bulk cotton cord

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

sea glass basket weave cuff custom design 3446

 Beach glass or sea glass as we call it in Rhode Island is an artifact born of the action of water and sand on broken bottles. The soft colors range from light blue to dark green to cobalt.

Seeding a beach involves drinking the contents then smashing the bottles into fragments followed by a long wait to see how much of the frosted glass remains after several weeks of tidal action. Prized by crafters this natural product is available only to diligent beach combers.

 This custom basket weave cuff was made with hand dyed cord simulating this color palette. The extra wide design shows off the range if color creating a stacked effect. The cotton cord is slightly shrinkable when it gets wet.

You can see more of the basket weave style of custom rope bracelets here or read about how this design is made here.

To commission a design all your own please visit the Etsy shop here.



design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

box of color

Inventory re-building starts with cutting lengths of cord in various colors. Stackable boxes are perfect project storage modules while the work is  in progress.

This 3 mm cord is destined to backfill the essential rope bracelets collection now available for shipment.

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

three color herringbone 3414

 This herringbone weave design bracelet is made with three colors of cord interwoven with the ecru base cord. This design shows how versatile these knotted creations can get. The colored cords are laid parallel with the base to fill out the two strand structure of a 29 bight circumference

The base color is ecru (natural white) the accent colors are navy, light blue, and yellow.

Custom designs like this can be made-to-order.



design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

Dysautonomia Advocacy Foundation limited edition rope bracelets

October is Dysautonomia awareness month and these three special limited edition rope bracelet designs are available now. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these bracelets goes to support the Dysautonomia Advocacy Foundation.

Follow the DAF on Facebook and see photos of these awareness bracelets.

This one-button design is available in three sizes.   It is secured with a custom made button and loop.

This is the slip-knot design which expands to fit over your hand then can be adjusted to your smaller wrist size. The money-fist and loop toggle holds the loose ends together.

Available in two sizes.

Find them on WhatKnotShop on Etsy.

This is the herringbone design that is a continuous braided five part turks head knot that has some natural stretch to enable you to squeeze it on over your hand. Available in three sizes for kids and grownups.

All are made with a faded teal hand-dyed cotton cord.

Please note that due to high demand these may be temporarily out-of-stock from time to time.

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

handmade rope necklace with eye splice and button 3400

 Using a bench top rope machine with some cotton twine and a custom made three hole button this nautical rope necklace project shows off several techniques.

The rope is made from a single piece of #18 cotton twine looped through the button six times (three doubled strands) and wound on the machine.

The button is positioned at the standing end of the rope. The doubled loops hold it securely without extra knots.

 The button is polymer clay made in a countertop toaster oven with three oversize holes to accept the doubled strands of cord.

The eye-splice is a three part overlap  terminated with a coach whipping made from waxed thread.

Inside circumference is 26" fully extended or about 7 1/2" when wrapped three times.

Finished rope is a square section about 1/4"

Made on commission this piece is an example of the handmade rope accessories available through WhatKnotShop

click here to view similar items



design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

single button cuff grey, red, blue with wood beads 3402

 One button cuff made with grey cotton framing cord and a row of dark wood beads was made for a customer who wanted a smaller size bracelet made to her color specifications.

The wood beads are 3 mm diameter and are stitched into the bracelet with the compression edge stitching technique.

 The button engages the loop made by the framing cords and can be easily undone with one hand. The interior cords form a soft edge that holds the button in place securely when closed.

Dark blue cotton cords emphasize the dark wood beads.

More of these unique fiber design bracelets can be found here.




design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

three pink grommet bracelets 3402

 Soft laid cotton cord (hardware store variety) hand dyed middle pink and worked into three small grommet bracelets.

Waxed cotton thread is used to create the coach-whipping detail.

 Sizes range from small to small…
5 1/2", 5 3/4", 6"

One went with a custom order, the other two are waiting for a home.

Pink is a classic color that has been appropriated by various causes (breast cancer research, etc.) but remains a popular choice for summer fun.

See more grommets like these here



design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop