April 15, 2014

white bone bangle bracelets 3309

three white bone bangle bracelets
lightweight flexible
extremely strong
thermoplastic
oval shape to conform to the wrist
no seams or hardware

more bone bangles here
triangle bangles here

this one: thin soft oval shape

matt finish
all slightly different individually handmade
a range of sizes available






individual pieces shown here

series a
series b
series c
series d
series e
series f
series g
series h

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop









April 14, 2014

handmade rope wrap bracelet blue green 3308

 This handmade rope is twisted up from cotton floss in two colors mixed together in a four part rope.

The dark blue and lighter green were stretched in pairs on each of the four spindles with the common ends looped through the button.

After twisting the this floss rope is about 2 mm diameter
 The button is a simple disc of polymer clay.
The loop is secured with a waxed thread coach whipping.
overall length is 35 1/2" or about four loops of 8 1/2" circumference.





design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 13, 2014

4 wrap handmade rope bracelet with button 3297

 More hand manufactured cotton rope this time featuring a wrapped loop. The wrapping is waxed thread otherwise used for stitching leather shoes and other projects. It is a nice heavy gauge, quite strong and develops a pleasing texture when used in this way.

The rope is a 4-ply construction (hence the two hole button). (More information on the rope machine to be published later.)
 This is a thicker two hole poly clay button cut like a cookie then baked (also like a cookie) but unfortunately not edible.

As with the other pieces in this series the button is placed in the rope machine with the yarns threaded through the holes. As the rope is formed  by twisting the button becomes the termination point.


Shown here as a four wrap bracelet this piece can also be a longer length necklace. About 7 1/2" (191 mm )with four wraps or 35" (889 mm) in a single loop.

Cord color is an off-white the poly clay button is a marbled composite of white grey and tan.




design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 12, 2014

double loop handmade rope necklace 3311

 This handmade rope was made in an extended length on the table top rope machine. The extra length allows for a double loop with a generous dimension of 20 1/2" (520 mm)

The rope is a three ply construction in a natural color cotton twine.
 The closure us a three hole custom made poly clay button and loop. The loop doubles the cord and is bound with a waxed thread coach whipping detail.

The cord is terminated with another  coach whipping detail.
Double coil results in a 9 1/2" (241 mm) wrap bracelet, rather large for the average adult wrist...






design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 11, 2014

handmade rope choker necklace with button 3310

 Three ply rope manufactured on a small rope machine out of cotton twine is combined with a custom made three hole button to create this small choker style necklace.

Size is "small" about 14 1/2" (368 mm)


 Three hole button anchors the three pairs of cotton twine. The button is positioned on the inactive end of the rope machine while the yarns are wound up.
The loop is created by a simple coach whipping made with waxed cotton thread.

color is a natural cotton white, button is a "pearl white" poly clay





design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 10, 2014

handmade rope wrap bracelet necklace 3298

 What makes this piece special is the rope is actually assembled on a rope machine from cotton yarns in a two-stage process.

The first stage creates a thin cotton cord from three plies of cotton twine. The second stage uses three of these cords to create the rope shown here.

                 available here




 The handmade poly clay button is placed on the inactive end of the rope winding machine with the cord threaded through the holes in the button.  As the rope is made the button is secured by the natural twist in the yarns

The loop is made with an eye-splice detail with a coach whipping securing the end of the splice. This is a traditional method of creating open loops that can carry heavy loads imposed by rigging on sailing ships.
The extra length creates a four wrap bracelet for a large wrist, five wrap for a small wrist. Two wraps makes a nautical choker style necklace or leave the single loop for an extra long draped necklace.

Color is a natural off-white, material is cotton.



design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 9, 2014

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 7 Trim off loose ends

 Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 7: Trim off loose ends



Once the cords ends have been bound together with the thread you can trim off the loose ends. I like to use a pair of diagonal cutters. This tool can be found at hardware stores.

View the ready-to-wear collection here


Trim the cords as close to the edge as possible.


Work around the edge removing the loose ends.
And you are complete!





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design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 8, 2014

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 6 Bind cord ends

 Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 6: Bind cord ends.

Slide the bracelet off the mold. It should have enough stiffness to hold it's shape while you finish it off.


View the ready-to-wear collection here


 Line up the cords using the smooth nose pliers. If there are any loose or slack loops re-work the tension to get everything even.
 Prepare a needle and nylon thread. You will need about 72" length of thread. In this example the thread has been doubled through the needle creating a strong four-ply thread.

You may also use a pair of regular pliers to place the needle through the cords.
 Align the cords you buried and sew them together with the needle and thread. Make three or four passes to get the thread on the same side of the cord.

Repeat this process on all the groups of buried cords. The more colors you use the more of these groups you will have.
Tie off the threads with square knots.





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design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 5, 2014

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 5 Remove slack from the warp cords

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 5
Remove slack from the warp cords

The warp cords are the dark blue and teal cords that run around the circumference of bracelet.

Using the round nose pliers grab the teal cord somewhere near the center and pull a small loop snug. Move to the next loop and draw the cord through adding an even, firm tension each time.

View the ready-to-wear collection here

Continue working the loop around the mold. Gradually remove the slack as you move around the mold until you reach the end. Keep an even but firm tension on each loop as you pull it through.

As you go the slack loop will grow in size.

Do not over tighten.


Draw the slack through the buried end. Go back to your starting point near the center and work the teal cord the opposite direction to the other end.

You will notice the loops that are loose and those that are firm.







Repeat this process with the blue cord. Work both ends from the middle until the tension is even around the entire circumference









Draw the slack through both ends. When complete the bracelet will have some shape and all the cords will be evenly tensioned.




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design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

April 1, 2014

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 4 Remove slack from the weft cord

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 4:
Remove slack from the weft cord

We'll start by tightening up the white weft cord that was placed first. Use the round nose pliers like the ones shown in the photo to grab the cords. Much easier than trying to use fingers….

Round nose pliers have no serrations so they don't tear the surface of the cord. Find them at a craft supply store.

View the ready-to-wear collection here
Rotate the mold and find the loop opposite the loose ends. Grab the loop with the pliers and gently tighten.

Work the cord from the center to the ends. Pull just enough tension to settle the colored warp cords together. Don't over-tighten at this point.

As you work around the white cord loops will pull free of the rubber bands.

Continue around until the slack reaches the end. Pull the cord end through and leave the tail hanging.

Then start again in the center and work the other way.

You will end up with two long tails of white cord. Leave them under the rubber bands for now, don't trim them off yet.

The bracelet will be loose on the mold but should stay put with the tail ends holding it in place.
This shows the rather loose weave of 8 loops. As discussed before you can make 10, 12, or 14 loops on your mold . The tightening technique is the same for all of them.



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design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop