handmade rope multi wrap bracelets or choker style necklace 3528

A versatile casual accessory for summer 2015

A group of multi-wrap bracelets that just came off the rope machine.

Each one is a three ply rope with a cotton floss color accent and cork button.

Each kit is a made-to-order length with a loop placed at the specified length per customer preference.

 Shown here in the double wrap choker style necklace length.

A finished version looks like this.
A slightly thicker rope design looks like this.
An eye-splice loop design looks like this.

The color accents are very subtle. Each one of the three rope plys has a single strand of floss.

These and other unique bracelets can be found online WhatKnotShop on ETSY

or make a custom request


design and photographs © copyright 2015 WhatKnotShop

two button navy and teal cuff bracelet 3508

 Layered edge stitched cord
hand dyed navy and teal
poly clay buttons

 7" (178 mm)
2 3/8" (59 mm)
3/4" (19 mm)

Part of a developing collection of handmade artifacts re-created from collective memory in modern materials.

Available here





design and photographs © copyright 2015 WhatKnotShop

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

distressed polymer clay bead wrapped leather bracelet 3097

This wrapped leather cord bracelet is made with five oversize distressed polymer clay beads. The plum colored clay was die cut then textured with coarse sandpaper and hardware cloth. The beads were over-cooked to achieve a slightly burned, discolored effect.

 The edges of the beads show the coarse texture.

Pewter poly clay button with waxed cotton thread wrapping.

                          available soon






design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

1 button black leather bracelet with handmade paper beads 2934

 This is the fifth in a series of small one button leather cord bracelets. Each has a unique detail that makes it special.

The basic design is four ply leather cord wrapped with a black waxed cotton thread. A 6 mm round wood bead and button connect with a pair of loops to form a secure easy to manage toggle.

This design features four colorful handmade paper beads threaded on the individual strands of leather cord.

 Size "small" about 7" (178 mm)

This design can be made both larger and smaller to fit children, women, and men. The number and style of the paper beads can be varied to create a textured appearance.

These are versatile bracelets that work with both formal and informal attire. The look is understated  with the black leather cord and waxed binding. The focal beads color contrasts nicely with the black framework.

Here's the collection.






                 Available here

design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

one button rope bracelet grey white with clear glass beads 2749

 Whenever I use a grey and near-white cord combination the potential for color actually increases. The grey takes on a warm or cool tone as the eye compares it to the surrounding materials. The off-white braided framing cords push this grey in a "cool" direction. The clear glass beads put in a tiny bit of  spectrum color which the camera filters out of these photos.

Here's the tutorial showing how to make one of these bracelets.

 The other challenge is trying to white-balance the image which has a disproportionate effect on the appearance of the object. These were all photographed on a bright white field with a white balanced camera setting. After importing the the image from the camera the white background is normalized using the Graphic Converter software. Even after this you an see the background retains some residual color.

Here's a more colorful cousin of this design.

Here you can get a sense of the transparency in the embedded beads.

More on-button designs in the Etsy Shop.

                  Available here


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

beaded green cuff with three button toggle 2482

 One of the design features of many cuff style bracelets is the clasp or buttons that hold the bracelet closed. This design makes a big deal out of this detail by using three buttons and loops in an interlocking pattern. The bracelet is made from cord segments and glass beads that have been laid out and drawn up into highly textured fabric. Extra lengths of the framing cords were used to form the loops that flip over the buttons.

 Three small buttons are stitched into the framing cords with four ply nylon thread. This assembly is done on a mold to ensure that the buttons and loops placement are coordinated. The loops are made snug but not tight to allow for the addition of more cords and beads. Then the cross stitching is done with the nylon thread. The assembly is left in a relaxed condition while all the cross threads are placed.

Here you can see the position of the three loops and buttons in the finished bracelet.

Two of the loops thread inside the larger third loop in an overlapping pattern. The natural pressure on the inside of the bracelet makes the loops settle under the buttons which makes it more secure.

This bracelet will be available in an upcoming boutique sale. Check Finch's Holiday Time Boutique for details, place and time or visit the fiber art section of my Etsy shop to see some other designs similar to this one.
design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

1 button toggle leather bracelet with brown whipping 2488

 This design came about when I was rummaging around in my scrap box and came across a few pieces of this versatile 2 mm leather lacing. These pieces were too short for making the adjustable chokers so what to do? The buttons were out on my workbench for another project and the holes were exactly the correct size for the lacing.

Recently I reordered waxed cord from Brettun's Village in Maine and received some new brown waxed cord in addition to my regular colors. The brown complements the black leather adding a small bit of texture and is very stable when wrapped tightly.

The design is a simple double loop with a relaxed shape. The leather lacing is bunched and wrapped tightly with the waxed cord using a simple coach whipping technique that buries the looped ends inside the wrapping by pulling on the loose ends on the opposite side, subject of a future tutorial.

This is a "large" size 8 1/2" (216 mm) but these can be made-to-order in any size you like.

Here's a detail of the waxed cord wrapping. In addition to the texture this extra bulk gives the bracelet a bit of shape and stiffness.

See these designs in the newly re-named slender leather knots section of my Etsy shop.

design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

snowdrift cotton cuff bracelet 1683

Oversize cotton toggle cuff with black button.

Large size soft texture nylon thread construction.

Lightweight like soft snow but warmer.


                  available here

design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

anti clastic beaded cuff bracelet handmade artifact fiber art bracelet 1673

 This modern primitive cuff is made with a cotton piping material and hand dyed cotton cord forming the distinctive anti-clastic shape. Rows of glass beads are embedded in the seams.

6 mm wood beads are embedded in the seam on one side. The other side has a row of red and brown wood beads.

This cuff is secured with two plastic buttons and loops. Size closed is 7 3/4" (197 mm) inside circumference.

Available here

Part of the handmade artifacts series exploring ancient form in modern materials.

design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

2 button clothesline cuff with beads 1632

 Here is another of the clothesline cuff collection made with soft braided cotton clothesline, hand dyed cord scraps, wood and glass beads, and a couple of plastic buttons. The clothesline is laid out to form the loops and ridges then the smaller cord is bound in between. A row of lavender glass beads forms a seam in the center. The wood and glass beads are then worked into the seams on the ridges.

The whole process takes some time to complete and depends on the availability of cord scraps and beads.

This cuff measures 7 3/8" (183 mm) inside circumference when closed and is 2 3/8" (63 mm) wide.

You can find this bracelet on Zibbet along with a larger collection of the design )strata( series of fiber art bracelets.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

two button red beaded clothesline cuff 1620

 Here's another clothesline cord design made with a lot of beads that were rattling around in the bottom of the bead bucket. On the left is a row of random glass beads tucked into the seam between the center ridge and edge. On the other is a row of dark brown wood beads (life is contrasts). On the center of the ridge is a row of glass seed beads which pick up the light.

 Size is medium-small at 7" (180 mm) inside circumference when closed. A two button and loop toggle system ensures easy and secure closure.

You can find this bracelet and other one-of-a-kind fiber and bead bracelets in the design section of my Etsy shop. A larger collection of these unique pieces can be found in the design section my Zibbet shop where there is no expiration date on listings.




design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

double button ankle cuff 1591

 Made from scraps of paracord, polypropylene, nylon, black polyester and cotton this large ankle cuff is both strong and comfortable. The colors are dark with just two accents and a pair of blue plastic buttons and loops to hold it securely closed.


Size is extra large 9 1/4" (235 mm) made on a vitamin bottle mold with four ply nylon thread.

In this view you can see the OD paracord in the center. The soft core of the paracord compresses forming a subtle ribbed texture.


This is a one of a kind creation part of the )design( strata series of fiber art bracelets and anklets available exclusively though WhatKnotShop.


This item is available here along with a wide selection of other one of a kind fiber art pieces in the design section of WhatKnotShop on Zibbet.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

one button clothesline anklet with beads 1566

 Clothesline cord is a larger diameter braided cotton material that is both soft and strong. Here it's used in combination with some hand dyed nylon braid, cotton cord and a row of small blue glass beads. A single accent bead is paced opposite the button loop closure.

This anklet measures 8 3/4" (223 mm) inside circumference and features a blue plastic button and loop closure.

Find this beaded anklet in the design section of the Etsy Shop.

To request a custom design like this please use the Etsy convo utility or leave a comment here.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

ecru and teal two button cuff 1393

This design )strata( cotton cuff is made entirely out of natural and hand dyed cotton cable cord. The colors selected are white, off white, teal, and grey-green.  A pair of green plastic buttons and loops hold this cuff closed. As you can see the loops are positioned more than half way around the cuff creating a diagonal seam. The fabric is made by binding the cord strands together with strong but elastic nylon thread. This compresses the cords as the thread is tensioned which stiffens the material enabling the distinctive organic shape to appear. The twisted cords create the ribbed appearance of the fabric. 

This piece measures about 8" (203 mm) inside circumference when closed and about 2" (52 mm) wide. This cuff will change shape when you put it on and if you get it wet it will shrink somewhat as it is made from cotton. 


See this unique cuff and a collection of similar designs in the design section of the Etsy shop. See a much larger collection in the design section of the Zibbet shop.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

2 button toggle cuff bracelet with beads 1290

  Constructed fabric layers, subtle colors, glass beads. Size is 8" (203 mm) inside circumference. Two buttons and loops secure the bracelet closed.

 A large green glass bead nests in a cove on the edge of the overlap. Four ply nylon thread binds the assembly together.

 The seam at the overlap loops is filled with small glass beads.

Toggle closure loops are highlighted with cotton floss.












design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

cotton cord fabric cuff bracelet with glass beads 1231

 A pair of blue plastic buttons and loops hold the corners of this organic collection of cord and beads. Multiple mixed fiber cords are laid out then stitched together with a collection of irregular glass beads. The binding process compresses the cords together and the beads are embedded in the layers. Two opposing loops overlap with a seam of turquoise bubble beads between them. Cotton floss is applied to the edges to highlight the structure. This is one of the design )strata( series of fabric cord bracelets.

This view shows the buttons and loops.  The four ply nylon binder remains in constant state of tension holding the cords and beads firmly in position. This is a medium-small size measuring 7" (178 mm) circumference when closed.
This and other unique fiber art items are available in the design section of the Etsy shop.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

two button day-night beaded fiber cuff bracelet 1205

 One side is white and green with a row of light glass beads in the center. The other side is black and purple with a row of cobalt beads. These meet in the center where the cords overlap with a layer of green glass beads. A pair of green plastic buttons secures the toggle loops.

Here the milky white glass beads can be seen on the back. The dark night in front. About 7 1/2" (191 mm) inside circumference when closed.

Cotton floss binds the overlapping edge, green beads are hidden in the depths. One of the unique design )strata( series cord fiber bracelets made from up cycled cord scraps and found beads.


This item is available here.
design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop