1 button wrapped leather cord bracelet wood beads 2930

 This is the first of 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 two 3 mm wood beads placed opposite the button and loop.

 Size "small" about 7" (178 mm)

This design can be made both larger and smaller to fit children, women, and men.

Almost any type of bead detail can be added opposite the button and loop including custom made beads.

Here's a look at the group of bracelets. You can see the different details including:

four handmade paper beads
a grey poly clay bead
the basic design without any added beads

               Available here

design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

white 4 loop and bead cotton cuff 1636

four loop and bead cuff bracelet

braided cotton clothesline cord nylon thread plastic beads

flexible soft shape



                     available here 

design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

2 button blue green extra wide beaded cuff 1643

 This two button cuff is another in the clothesline series made with a grey hand dyed clothesline which forms the ribs and loops in combination with 3 mm hand dyed cotton cord. Glass seed beads are worked into the seams of the large cord. A row of glass beads forms a seam between the two halves of this bracelet. A pair of buttons and loops hold this cuff securely closed.
The colors are grey, green, and black. Bead colors are cobalt, light turquoise, light blue, and a mix of amber, yellow, pink and clear glass in the seam.

This item is available part of a series of clothesline cuffs in the design section of my Zibbet marketplace

The size is a large measuring 8" (204 mm) interior circumference when closed and 2 7/8" (71 mm) wide.
These unique constructions require between 12 -16 hours of work to build. This one was laid out on a PVC pipe mold where the larger cords were formed into the ribs and loops. The smaller diameter cords are laid out in the valleys and hand stitched into a fabric-like pattern. The bracelet is then removed from the mold and the beadwork is completed. Finally the two halves are stitched together using nylon thread and the larger glass beads.

design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

green fiber bangle bracelet with beads 1448

Soft cotton fiber slip on bracelet made with hand dyed cotton cord and glass beads. This design features small beads worked into the plies of the cord at random locations.
Colors are primarily green with some blue and a yellow accent. Beads are green glass.
These unique soft bangles are made by laying up a few lengths of cord on a PVC mold and edge stitching the cords with four ply nylon thread.


The thread is placed across the cords and left in a relaxed condition until the entire perimeter is covered. Then the loops are pulled tight compressing the cords and clamping the beads in place. The ends of the thread are knotted then buried in the weave. Excess thread is trimmed off.
These bracelets are stiff but flexible and lightweight. This design is about 8 1/4" (210 mm) inside circumference. See this and others like it in the design section of the Etsy shop. A larger more diverse collection is available 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

a little green and grey one for the little ones 1163

 Here's a fun little (kid sized) bracelet made from the short ends of cord bundles that have been used to make larger bracelets. This one is a mere 5 1/2" (140 mm) inside circumference perfect for a child or 'tween. 100% cotton cord is hand dyed in small batches. The colors are copper green and grey. The ends have been stitched to keep it from falling apart with the kind of heavy use that kids put everything through!

Find a collection of children's sized rope bracelets on Zibbet. While I try to keep a variety of colors and sizes it is possible that you may not find exactly what you want. I am happy to take custom requests and my prices are the same for the custom work as they are for the in-stock items. 


You may also be interested in this turquoise herringbone rope bracelet which is available in smaller sizes as well.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

white nylon cuff bracelet 441

White 1/8" nylon braided cord is used to build these super wide cuffs. The weave pattern is a 13 x 19 x 2 double diamond. The nylon does not shrink like cotton but does absorb some water so it take a set after a few months of wear. This example is 7 1/2" (191 mm) inside circumference and 2 1/4" (59 mm) wide.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

white macrame toggle bracelet with monkey fist knot 1203

 Macrame (square knot) toggle bracelet made with 2.3 mm white nylon cord. This is a classic square knot pattern made with a single piece of cord. First a 3 x 3 x 3 monkey fist knot is made in the center of the cord and firmed up. The remaining cord is double looped and the knotting pattern begins at the base of the monkey fist. The ends are stitched to prevent unraveling. Finished size is 7 3/8" (186 mm).

The loop ends are designed to pass through the space between the monkey fist and the start of the braid, then loop back over the monkey fist. This makes the closure more secure and allows easy removal.


Find a collection of these square knot bracelets available here 
design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Square sennit braid flexible bangles 131 144 145

This is a re-post of some work in sennit braiding. (click here to see original post ) Three examples are shown here the smaller of the three at left. The bracelet is made from eight interwoven strands starting with a four part grommet. The direction reverses and then there are four interweaves. The reverse loop is positioned under the bead which terminates the knot.

This is the "large" size about 8 5/8" (218 mm) 
The material is a high strength dacron/nylon mix used by sailmakers to make leech tensioning lines.

And the "larger" size about 10" (254 mm). As you can see they all are about the same (colored beads are different on each) Size is controlled by how many bights are made in the grommet and can vary from just a few to a huge number. Think napkin ring all the way up to hatband size.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

traditional five part rope bracelet design - small size 1198

Made with a smaller diameter cord this is one of the most popular weave designs in the online venues. As you can see this bracelet is a smaller size (on advice from one of my favorite customers!) and will fit younger teens quite nicely. Color is natural white. Ends are secured by stitching just like all the items in my shops, and the size measures just 7" (178 mm) inside circumference.
Available here


Design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

red cord fabric double toggle cuff bracelet w beads 1199

 This is a double monkey fist knot and loop closure cuff in bright colors. The cords are a mix of hand dyed cotton and synthetics. There are three different textures: the smooth cotton Darice cord that are the red, orange, blue and yellow colors; the cotton cable cord which is the yellow and purple color; braided synthetics colors electric green and light blue.

The monkey fists are tied in a pair and the cord is wrapped around to form the toggle loops. The entire structure is "post tensioned" with nylon thread which stretches then compresses the cords and makes a stiff shell our of the cord forming a fabric. Three glass beads accent the piece.


Size is a "small" measuring 7 1/4" (184 mm) circumference.

This design is similar to a number of other design )strata( bracelets like this double button cuff and this three button cuff and this double toggle beaded cuff  although these designs use buttons and large beads as toggles.


All these are unique designs which share similar details.
design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

black cord fabric soft bangle bracelet 1190

A simple design of black polyester cord with blue and grey accents. Size is "large" 8 5/8" (219 mm) circumference but only 5/8" (17 mm) wide. No beads in this composition. All of the design )strata( pieces are made from up-cycled scraps of cord and nylon binder thread.

If you like this you may also be interested in these designs: soft cotton bangle bracelet w beads or this one: soft bangle bracelet or this design with beads orbit beaded soft bangle 






design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

black 14 string cord bracelet 1189

Very simple design of fourteen loops of cord with a switchback pattern. The nylon thread compresses the folded loops which forms a pattern not unlike interlocking fingers. No beads just soft cord.


Made around a mold out of polyester cord. The larger loops that form the bracelet are relaxed. This is a slip-on style so no buttons or clasps.

Similar design made in white cotton cord and another black string cuff bracelet with similar detailing


For a more informal design take a look at this tangled string toggle bracelet or this tangled string toggle bracelet made with green, black, and rust cords




design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

multi colored wide cord fabric cuff bracelet 1195

A warm pallet of color including brown, orange, pink, red, black with yellow and green accents. Extra large and extra wide slip-on style cuff bracelet made with up-cycled cords. The continuous design has no seams or closure toggles.

 Four ply nylon binding thread keeps the cord structure in a semi-rigid but flexible form. Thread ends are buried. This bracelet was made on a cylindrical mold. The cords were laid out and secured with long needles. The nylon thread is passed back and forth to establish the spacing then drawn up to consolidate the final shape. The cord compresses to about 50% of the relaxed shape.

















design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhaKnotShop

desert sunset beaded 3 button cuff bracelet 1194

This project is another that has been sitting in my partially complete box waiting for a decision about the closure design. After messing around with several ideas I worked out a nice lie-flat three button solution.


The colors are bright southwest desert inspired oranges, pinks, yellow, red and purple. Embedded glass beads emulate the treasure hidden in the folds of the earth and visible only to the mind's eye and the careful observer...

 The toggle closure system is three loops of cotton cord and buttons. The center loop passes through the red loop then secures on the center button. The two outer loops fit over the smaller buttons.


The center loop and button showing the white loop passing through the red loop.

 loop over button on the left...








a row of red glass beads is visible just below the buttons.

Loop over button on the right...secure






This cuff is available for sale click here.   If you like this design you may also be interested in this one or perhaps this one.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

4 button fiber cuff bracelet 1191

This is a project that started then got put aside for awhile then finally was finished. The concept is to create an organic "bark" that wraps around the wrist much the way a tree protects the fragile xylem layers with a resilient coating. The materials are hand dyed cotton cord, four plastic buttons obtained at a thrift store, six irregular glass beads, and four ply nylon thread.

The buttons and loops are offset so the seams are highly irregular.There is an opening near the center formed by the pulling away of the cord bundles during the assembly process. Another "hole" is filled with the glass beads.

Open the bracelet by releasing the buttons from the loops.

Built on a 7 1/2" mold this piece is a "small" size inside but varies from 2 5/8" to 3 1/4" wide.

The colors are a mix of greens, greys, blues, with purple, black and magenta red.  The texture is firm but friendly. Most of the cords are hand dyed cotton.

Six irregular glass beads cluster like eggs in a nest.

This item is available here in the design section of my Etsy shop.








design and images © copyright 2011 by WhatKnotShop

cotton fiber cuff - custom work

Recently I received a request from a person who wanted a wider version of a design )strata( bracelet purchased previously. This project started out to replicate the colors used in the original in a wider finished size. 


Getting consistent color from my small batch dye lots is a significant challenge. I use standardized recipes for the dye baths but there are a number of other variables that control the outcome:  Length of time the  cord spends immersed in the dye bath, the rinse-out process including the temperature of the rinse water and the length of time in the rinse; and of course the absorption characteristics of the cord.

The creation of this design also involves layout of the cord and the binding process which compresses the cord together. This compression reduces the width by about 50% so a 1" wide finished bracelet starts out at about 2" on the mold.

The finished piece came out a bit narrower than I wanted but the results are I think rather pleasing. Greys, white, pink, and a yellow accent are subdued but interesting and the compression process enables the bracelet to hold it's shape.


You can see more of this type of work in the design section of the Etsy shop and a much larger selection on ArtFire and Zibbet as well. 

A few examples of the toggle closure style can be found here and here and here. 








design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

white twelve string cotton bracelet 1179

This rope bracelet has a very simple pattern with opposing loops of cord that are bound together. The cord reverses direction at each loop to form the relaxed shape. Materials are cotton cord and four ply nylon thread.

This design features 12 big loops and measures about 1 3/4" wide.
You might like this design that is a bit more free form using multi-colored cords click here or perhaps this one click here




design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

square knot macrame adjustable bracelet collection

Zip toggle macrame bracelets with beads in different colors and materials. All (except one) made with 2.3 mm white nylon cord. This is a small sample of the possible bead colors that can be used to make the toggle closure.  Find this one on Etsy  click here or look at the square knot collection on Etsy

<--cream color bead pull

 All are 8 5/8" (219 mm) size "large" that can be drawn to between 6 1/2" to 7 1/2" size when the toggle loop is drawn through.




<--navy blue plastic bead pull

Find more of these adjustable macrame bracelets in the Etsy shop. Find more slip on square knot bracelets in the Zibbet shop.




<--red plastic bead pull

<--lavender plastic bead pull

champaign synthetic 1 mm cord with tiger stripe oval bead pull

<--green glass bead pull

design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop