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

beaded turks head knot bracelet 2944

 A basic three part turks head knot bracelet that has been built using a center strand of ceramic 3 mm beads. These beads are more subdued in appearance than the clear or colored glass.

The beads are strung on a rugged four ply nylon thread and worked through the center of the bracelet. Check this blog posting to see how the center strand is added to complete the bracelet.

The opaque beads give a more substantial look to the bracelet and match the tan colored cotton cord.

Size for this one is "large" 8 1/2" (211 mm) partly due to the presence of the beads. They don't compress the same way that a center strand made of cord would so the overall size tends to increase.

This is a prototype that can be produced in a variety of sizes and colors. If interested please leave a comment or email.


                    available here



design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

beaded white turks head knot bracelet 2945

 Traditional three part braided turks head knot rope bracelet that has been blinged up with a center strand of 3 mm clear glass beads. The beads have an interior coating that gives them a rainbow colored effect which the camera filters out quite effectively.

Here's a blue-green design you might enjoy.

Here's a tan design you might like.

 This one came out a nice "medium" size 7 1/2" (191 mm)

The bead string is secured a each end so there is flexibility like with other rope bracelets.

The beads are all glass so this bracelet has a bit more mass.

These are prototypes look for several other variations on this design



                  available here

design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

blue and green beaded turks head bracelet 2943

 An ordinary 12 x 5 x 3 turks head knot turns into something sparkly when the center strand is composed of 3 mm glass seed beads.

A two strand knot was tied using 3 mm teal blue cotton cord. The knot was left a little slack as the glass beads are non compressible and need plenty of space to pass through the weave.

 A 48" length of four ply nylon thread strung with the beads was threaded through the center and drawn up to a firm tension so there were no gaps in the bead string.

Here you can see the placement.

The bead string was secured at one end and the cotton cord was worked around to remove slack and even the tension. Then the other end of the bead string was used to stitch the loose ends together.

The results are pleasing with the blue green mix of beads and the blue cord.

These bracelets are heavier due to the glass beads

This is a size "small" to show the concept.

               available here

design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

lighthouse red rope bracelet 2822

 Sometimes the simplest thing is the strongest design like for example this lighthouse red turks head knot bracelet made from 3 mm cord.

The weave design is a 12 bight double diamond pattern so the work up process produces a nice symmetrical shape without having to compensate for cord diameter. This example is a "small" size 6 3/4" (172 mm) inside diameter. Like most of these designs this one can stretch out to about  7 1/2"

read about how to measure your hand for size

 The five part weave is wider and is further emphasized by the three strands of cord  resulting in a full 1 1/2" (37 mm) width.

To find out more about knot terminology here



This cord material is a smooth braided cotton product that takes the dye evenly and retains it's soft texture when dried out.

More color choices are available in the solid color section of my Etsy shop.

Most colors can be produced in small medium and large sizes by request.




design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

two part rope bracelet 2797

 This two part weave design is made using a mold and a segment of braided cotton line. The cord is laid out loose on the mold then the second pass is looped under the first pass 13 times. This pattern is tripled and the loose ends laid parallel.

The shape is worked up to a firm fit on the mold.

 This type of knot is inherently unstable so there is an invisible web of nylon thread that holds the pattern secure. This thread is edge stitched through the plies and across the knot at the crossing points.

Here's a similar design made with glass beads at the crossing points.

This example is about 8" (205 mm) inside circumference.

Many size variations are possible with this design. It can be made on a larger mold with more crossings or smaller with fewer crossings. The diameter of the cord can be changed to adjust proportions and scale.



design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

wide double diamond herringbone weave turks head knot 2767

 Every so often I confront the box full of leftover scraps including this 28 ft piece of white nylon cord remaining from another project. This piece was just barely long enough to construct this 17 part x 25 bight herringbone weave knot.

parts x bights x strands click here for explanation

The layout started with 4 bights (first pass around the mold) set up in a double diamond pattern. The opposing bights set up an even tension when the knot is worked up so it doesn't get all lop-sided.

 The mold used is an 11" circumference tube which actually needed about 31 ft of cord so I had  to use another piece of cord as a placeholder. Later after working up the knot I was left with about 12 ft of slack so the knot you see here only really requires 16 ft. Scraps go back in the box!

The single strand or "pass" makes this bracelet able to stretch out to 8 5/8" (219 mm) and contract to about 7" (178 mm). It can slip on over a big hand then crush down to the size shown in the pictures. Works kind of like  a chinese finger trap (remember those?)

The herringbone weave is famous for the double "V" patterns so popular in fabric design. You can pick them out in the first photo on the red pool noodle background.

                    Available here

More like this in my Etsy shop, including these other wide cuff designs in the white rope bracelets section.

design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

nautical knot rope bracelet with blue accents 2756

 This versatile nautical bracelet design is shown here made with a natural white cotton cord and ultramarine blue cotton floss. In this variation of the design the loop has an extra piece of cord secured by the coach-whipping. The monkey fist knot is made with the cord end tucked into the center of the ball.

This is a "small" size measuring 7" (180 mm) inside circumference when closed.

 This design is adjustable opening up by sliding the cord through the barrel knots as shown here.

See the posting about adjustment here.

You might like this variation on this design.

or perhaps this one made with hand dyed taupe cord.

Or this one made with extra large barrel knots.

The monkey fist knot rides along inside the loop when the knot is drawn up to it's natural size.


A collection of these special bracelets are available online here.



design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

how to adjust the slip-knot rope bracelet

 This tutorial shows how to adjust the size of the nautical slip-knot rope bracelet.

These bracelets are available here.

Remove bracelet from package. Lay flat as shown.

Separate monkey fist knot from loop.

Grab cord attached to monkey fist knot.


Note: There are two cords that pass through the barrel knot that can be adjusted to equalize the size of the bracelet.

Pull cord through barrel knot.

Expand bracelet, slip on over hand.

Pull on monkey fist knot to tighten up bracelet.


Note: If the fixed loops are unequal size, expand the bracelet and pull on the other running cord to equalize the loop size.

Adjust to a comfortable fit. Replace monkey fist in loop to hold loose ends together.



These bracelets are available here.



design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

big barrel knot rope bracelet 2476

 This one goes a little crazy with the biggest barrel knots I could make (estimating the cord length is a guessing game). One is 15 the other is 17 wraps which makes a massive knot don't you think?

The 2 x 2 x 2 monkey fist and loop are whipped with brown waxed cotton thread for a secure and handsome finish.

And yes it is possible to slide these big knots around on the line, it just takes a little push.

 The material is a heavy #60 cotton line.

A similar design you might like is here.

Read about how to adjust the size of these bracelets here.

The size is a "large" measuring 8 1/2" (219 mm) when closed (shown in the photos). Expands to about 10" with some effort!


There is a collection this unique design rope bracelet          Available here.


design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

chocolate and cherry cotton turks head knot bracelet 2717

Two nice colors together in a traditional plain weave turks head knot bracelet. The brown color is the stock cord from Darice made with polyester and the red is a custom dye bath made with RIT scarlet dye. The white 3 mm cord is immersed for about 2 minutes. More on the dye process here.

I buy the cord from JOANN Fabrics (always use the discount coupons)

This five part design is started with the brown cord built on a mold in a 17 bight double diamond pattern. The red cord is added once the knot is complete.

Here's a glossary of terms for these knots.

Here's how to add the center strand.

This design is a "medium" size about 7 5/8" (193 mm) inside circumference.





design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

double loop rope bracelet necklace blue 2696

 This design is both a double wrap bracelet and a choker style necklace but not at the same time...

Here's the double wrap bracelet shape measuring about 7 3/4" (197 mm) inside circumference in size. The waxed whipping secures the loose ends and the double loops.

A monkey fist knot rests inside the loops to secure this bracelet without the need for hardware.

 The entire piece is made from a single piece of #24 cotton cord. The color is a darker shade of teal blue.

This view shows the necklace a simple relaxed circle about 16 3/4" (416 mm)

                       Available here



Custom sizes can also be made by special order.


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

knotted adjustable rope bracelet 2575

 This knotted rope bracelet design uses several old-school marlinspike techniques to produce an adjustable rope bracelet. This design is made from a piece of cotton cord that has been hand dyed in a backyard recipe of black walnut hulls. These are the annoying green and brown shards that squirrels leave behind to stain your driveway or sidewalk with their pungent and powerful dye that leaches out during rainstorms.

Here's one made in white cord.

On one end of the cord is a 2x2x2 monkey fist knot tied without a core. A larger version of this knot is often used to make a weighted heaving line that can be thrown across a gap between ships and then used to haul a heavier piece of line across the gap.

There are a pair of sliding barrel knots on either side of the reverse loops that secure the adjustment with a high friction grip. You can draw the running part thought he knot but it requires a bit of effort so this knot will hold the line in position where you leave it.

The third technique is the brown waxed whipping that secures the loop and the loose end of the monkey fist. The whipping has a concealed loop that buries the live end under the whipping making it appear that there are no loose ends. The extra length has been trimmed off to preserve the illusion. Here's a link, scroll down to "method 2" to see how this one is made.

Find a selection of these traditional rope bracelets here.
design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

back to basics three part knot bracelet rust red 2541

 Sometimes the basic simple designs are the most fun. This is a traditional three part turks head knot bracelet very similar to many of the offerings you can find with a quick web search.

This one is made with a #24 cotton cord much lighter than the #30 which I commonly use.

The color is a nice deep rust red.

 The lighter cord means that more bights must be added to the design to achieve a desired size. This bracelet is made with 23 bights and measures only 7 5/8" (193 mm) circumference. By comparison a #30 cord would build a 7 1/2" size with only 17 bights.

More bights means a bit more built-in stretch so this one can stretch a full 1" and return to size.

Soon to be available in one of the shops...










design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

overhand knot cotton cord bangle bracelet 2645

This is a new design that combines a simple overhand loop knot with edge binding technique to make a soft bangle style rope bracelet.

3/16" cotton line is wrapped around an 8" mold and a series of overhand knots are placed in the center.

Here you can see the two part braided pattern clearly.


The whole assembly is edge-bound together using  waxed nylon thread.







Here's another view of the braided pattern.

Size is 7 7/8" (200 mm) circumference.

                Available here


design and photographs © copyright 2013 WhatKnotShop

grey paracord turks head knot bracelet 2470

 550 paracord is a popular material for crafters including the survival bracelet market (can't survive without a nylon bracelet? - nice!). This design is not intended to be unraveled in an emergency but it does make a stylish accessory.

This is a silver grey color cord available from u-braid-it braiding supply company. I buy from them because they offer great customer service and quick shipping.

 This bracelet is a 12 x 5 x 3 design made from a double diamond pattern. This requires the use of a mold to hold the cords in place while the knot is developed. The double diamond pattern is too complex to be tied "in-the-hand" the way some of these turks heads are done.

My bracelets are NOT pre-shrunk but are made with new cord materials. This means that you can buy a larger size and expect the bracelet to shrink on your wrist. This example is 7 1/2" (191 mm) circumference just off the mold.

Paracord will shrink approximately 10% to 12% when wet and will take a "set" once it has been immersed in water.  This is the inner filler fibers shrinking, not the outer braided sheath. Repeated wettings will result in a bit more shrinkage each time until the material has reached equilibrium.

See more of these paracord bracelets in the paracord section of my Etsy shop.


design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop