dip dyed extra wide cuff 3535

  An explosion of color comes to life with this extra wide cuff. The knot design is a long turks head made with 21 parts and 10 bights on a mold. The double pass (2 strand) creates the requested 3" width.

The colors were dip-dyed in a progressive process starting with the darker turquoise blue, the the lime green and ending with celosia orange.

  In this view you can see the elongated proportions. The size requested was only 7 1/2" so the weave is open and flexible to allow this cuff to settle comfortably on the forearm.

Each color required time to dry followed by treatment with a mordant to reduce the color bleeding

Custom work like this is available through the Etsy shop please visit to review the design possibilities then make your request.

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





design and photographs © copyright 2015 WhatKnotShop

even more even part turks head knot bracelets 3514

Four part rope bracelets are the next order of complexity up from the traditional three part sailor bracelets and they offer a special design opportunity. The center overlap creates a place to run a colored accent cord through the void in the weave. Because the geometry of the knot has even parts the overlap falls in the actual center not to one side or the other.

Here are some other colors in this same design.
Here is the tutorial showing how to tie four part bracelets.

 15x4x2 weave design with tangerine (a popular color!)

7 1/2" (191 mm) circumference a convenient size for many people

 Purple - mysterious just like the endless knot pattern...

Note that these are 15 bight designs. If you tie an 11 bight design as shown in the tutorial your bracelet will come out smaller. If you increase to 19 bights it will be larger.

Quiz: why does the bight count increase by 4 each time?

 Scarlet - "red is best" and popular!

Almost any color can be used to accent the basic off-white bracelet.

Navy - a traditional favorite color for anything nautical

Available here

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


design and photographs © copyright 2015 WhatKnotShop

salmon slip knot rope bracelets 3503

 Soft braided hand dyed cotton cord in salmon is the latest color available in the popular slip knot rope bracelet. This design expands by loosening the loops to fit on over a larger hand then easily adjusts to a smaller wrist. The loop and ball knot hold the loose ends together.

The adjustment is explained here.

The material is a salmon color which is a diluted solution of marsala red. The cord takes this color in a muted almost pastel tone. The dye process is explained here. The whipping is a heavy duty dark brown waxed thread.

Multiple sizes are easily produced. Find examples in the slip knot section of the Etsy shop.




design and photographs © copyright 2015 WhatKnotShop

salmon and ecru intermediate turks head knot rope bracelet 3502

 This wider bracelet is an intermediate weave with 7 parts, 10 bights and a relaxed 8" finished circumference. The cord is a mix of hand dyed and natural ecru braided cotton. The weave design is one of series of turks head knot patterns that you can find in the Ashley Book of Knots.

 The center strand is a salmon color which is a diluted solution of marsala red. The cord takes this color in a muted almost pastel tone so it blends comfortably with the natural white. The dye process is explained here.

see more designs like this in the contrast+blend section of the Etsy shop



design and photographs © copyright 2015 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 2 Layout the first warp cord

Making a basket weave rope bracelet Part 2:
Layout the first warp cord


Place the fid on the end of one of the colored cord pieces. This will be the first warp cord.

If you don't have a fid, wrap tape around the end of the warp cord to stiffen the end of the cord so you can feed it through the gaps.

View the ready-to-wear collection here

 Place the cord 90 degrees to the white weft cord in an over-under alternating pattern as shown. Note the white cord ends are paired and treated as a single cord.


Continue around the PVC mold placing the cord parallel to the original cord until you reach the end. Leave a 1" tail.

When you get near the end place the 1" tail of the warp cord under the running weft cord right next to one of the white cords as shown.

Tape up the other end of the warp cord so it can pass through the gaps.


Go back to the other end and resume placing the warp cord in the same over-under pattern keeping exactly parallel to the original path of the cord.

When you get to the end place the running cord under the weave as shown. Leave it relaxed  for now.



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design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop