box of color

Inventory re-building starts with cutting lengths of cord in various colors. Stackable boxes are perfect project storage modules while the work is  in progress.

This 3 mm cord is destined to backfill the essential rope bracelets collection now available for shipment.

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

four more places at the lake

 Four more bright yellow turks head knots deployed in four locations (different from the first three)

Know this place? leave a comment. If you correctly guess the location I'll send you a replica bracelet in your choice of size.

You must be specific about details!

 This location is a repeat.

Two years ago another knot was placed in this location and is still there although a bit soiled from exposure. There is a tree decorated with knitting in the vicinity as well. Almost an art fair!

Know this place? Comment your guess below.

 This one is on the middle rail of a beach stairway. Which beach? Which stairway?

update 4/25/14 gone missing! during a walkabout noticed this one was no longer in place. :(

In the distance two large turtles are hauled out on the rocks. This bright piece of rope work is easier to see, you can walk right up to it.

Where is it? (missing!) as of 4/25/14 this one was also observed to be gone.




See the first three places on the lake here.

design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

Jewelry Box collection on Etsy

This cool collection Jewelry Box was put together by Jane Kilpatrick Schott a self described interior Decorator, Textile Whore, Pillow Empress & High End Scavenger. She has an Etsy shop janeschott
Empress of The Eye filled with pillows. Go ahead, sleep on it...
I think this is cool because she included this Bead Embroidery Bracelet made by Évi Csizmadia Lajosné (no I'm not going to try and pronounce this...) which is part of an inspired collection of work in her Etsy shop Vicus. It has awesome glass spikes which have to be the first I've seen.

I also like the design of this Five Hammered Stacked 1mm Band Ring made by Neta Wolpe part of her Etsy shop NetaJewelry filled with handmade jewelry designer gold wedding bands and lots of other elegant goodies. Find her on the web at Neta Wolpe - Jewelry
The featured item in this collection (thank you Jane!) is this rope nautical bracelet made with traditional marlinspike know-how. The cotton cord is a nice hefty material and the waxed thread was used for securing the frayed ends of lines back in the day aboard the clipper ships. This is a unique adjustable  design that expands to fit over a big hand, then you tug the loop end and secure it with the monkey fist knot reducing the size to a comfortable loose fit. See size and color variations of this bracelet in the nautical knot bracelets section of my Etsy shop.

Tied in Knots collection on Etsy

Michelle Brumley presented a challenge for me trying to pick out a few worthy items from her Etsy collection Tied in Knots. Her shop lunarising has practical and whimsical decorations for your home, body, and spirit.

Barefoot, sandals, or heels these In Bloom Ankle Corsets - Tatted Lace Accessories look great anytime. See more elegant tatting from Pamela Quevedo in her shop TotusMel.

More knots to wear this Interlocking Discs Knotted Cords & Brass Rings Belt 70's 80's by Nickie Noel is a retro statement. See more current fashion trends interpreted through vintage clothing in her shop nickiefrye.

This elegant Blue and white chinese knotted cord necklace by 22degreesnorth is a bit of the east made in a cool color. See more happy items from Hong Kong in their shop of the same name 22degreesnorth.

The featured item in this knotted collection is this 3 button beaded primitive statement cuff 1633 made with a variety of cords beads, and buttons. This is a unique piece which reflects the modern interpretation of traditional design using all new materials. Find more of these modern primitive designs in the design section of WhatKnotShop on Etsy. An even larger collection can be found in the design section of WhatKnotShop on Zibbet. You can request a custom design as well by messaging me from either site.

Tying Knots collection on Etsy

Tying Knots is one of my favorite activities and this collection by The Jetty has a lot of nice knot work. For some of us hobbyists it is "not work" but fun.

This Cotton rope sailor knot belt by marcelacamargo is a distinctive classic accessory. Find more knotty hair accessories and jewelry in his shop TeaAccessories.

I like the deconstructed look of this Big Knot Knit Bracelet in silver silk by Amanda Brown. Her shop ClementineBrown has several other knitted bracelets made from this soft material.

There is a lot to like at KarensRopeWork including this Cotton Nautical Doorstop - with Handle which is sold but don't be deterred there is more in her shop.

The featured item in this knotty collection is this white BASIC turks head knot sailor bracelet large adjustable. The material is 100% soft cotton braided cord made into a simple but sophisticated five part plain weave design. Each BASIC bracelet comes with illustrated instructions showing how to work it up to a smaller size on your wrist. Find many more colors in the BASIC bracelets section of my Etsy shop.

I'm sailing away collection now departing Etsy

It may be late in the season but Mary Price has the right idea with her I'm Sailing Away collection now departing Etsy. Visit her daylitestore to see her favorite collectables and these Napkin Rings made out of grass cording. Yep more knots...

So this 20 Inch turks head nautical mat made by Gus Lopez is another form of the same type of knot made with a heavier sisal rope. More nautical  knotted keychains and crafts in his shop tugboatgus2010.

This Nautical sailing bracelet is a knot with a looser form and a stainless bow shackle, your choice of red, white or blue cord made by dunleadogg. More nautical sailing hardware bracelets and dog supplies in her shop of the same name.

The featured item in this knotty collection is the white & sky blue turks head knot sailor rope bracelet made from hand dyed soft cotton cord. This is one of the blended color rope bracelets that can be seen in the blended colors section of my Etsy shop. Both larger and smaller sizes of this design are available by special order. Simply click here to send me your request.

herringbone weave bracelet in brown leather cord 1392

This is an "over-two, under-two" herringbone weave bracelet made with 2 mm brown leather cord. The size of this example is 7" (178 mm). Both larger and smaller sizes can be made. This is the same weave design as can be seen in many other herringbone designs made with cotton cord. The leather cord is untreated so it creaks a bit when flexed kind of like an old wicker chair when you sit on it.

            Available here
design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Rainbow bracelets 1315

Recently I received a request from a customer who wanted some special bracelets to offer as a fundraising premium. Here is a look at the results.
The design is based on a herringbone weave pattern which is the "over two-under two" sequence which creates the distinctive "V" pattern. A piece of cotton cord is used to create a 29 bight knot. A series of hand dyed cotton cord are then added one by one to fill out the weave. The colors are red, yellow, green, and blue. 

As you can see one edge of the bracelet exposes the colored cords as they loop through the knot. The opposite edge is made from the white cord that forms the structure of the bracelet. The ends are trimmed off and stitched up to prevent the whole thing from coming undone. 


The geometry of the knot allows up to five colors to be used. The possible color combinations range from a single color like this blue to green series to a mix of colors as seen here.


These can be made in a range of sizes from very small designed to fit kids on up to extra large designed to fit your favorite knuckle dragging lumberjack, truck driver, or stone mason.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Happiness is a pair of nautical chic knot bracelets

Michalle sent this self portrait photo showing two BASIC turks head knot rope bracelets. One is black the other is battleship grey. Both have been worked up to Michalle's comfortable fit size.
These BASIC rope bracelets are available in a wide range of colors including the black and grey show here as well as lighthouse red, starboard green, several colors of blue, sunshine yellow, orange, brown and classic white.
Illustrated instructions are included with each order. These adjustable bracelets are supplied in a "large" size which makes it easy to slip them over your hand. A few simple steps are all that is required to create a custom fit just right for you.
Here's a tip from Michalle: After working up the bracelet to a comfortable fit use a needle and thread to secure the loose ends. Trim the ends then turn the bracelet inside out to hide the stumps.
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 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 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

Square knot macrame rope bracelet with zip pull closure 1122

Square knot macrame bracelet with easy adjustment made from 2.3 mm white nylon cord.


Bracelet opens to a generous size to allow you to slip it on over your hand, then zips closed using the monkey fist knot pull.
<-- open measures 8 5/8" (219 mm) inside circumference

Closed with monkey fist knot pull measures 7 1/8" (181 mm) inside circumference (medium size)


Both open and closed size can be specified in a custom order at the Etsy online shop. To request a custom design like this please use the Etsy convo utility or leave a comment here.

Shown here partially open - this unique design can adjust to any size between fully open and fully closed to make a perfect fit. The nylon cord construction can be opened and closed repeatedly. The high friction pull closure ensures that this bracelet will not open unexpectedly.


See this and other macrame designs in the Square Knot Macrame section of the Etsy shop. More macrame bracelets can be found here.


Available with a monkey fist knot pull (shown here) or with a variety of colorful bead pulls.


design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

Square knot macrame soft bangle bracelets

This is an old favorite design using a basic square knot pattern familiar to many people as macrame. Back in the 70's this was a popular craft. This little collection is slip on style bracelets made with cotton cord. The core is four strands of cotton cable cord. These are made on a circular mold and the ends are stitched up with nylon thread so they don't fall apart 


natural white - find this on ArtFire  click here

hand dyed copper green
find these on ArtFire   click here

hand dyed fog grey with a red glass bead




design and photographs © copyright 2011 WhatKnotShop

knots new collection on Etsy

See a group of creative artists who make things from knotted fibers, metal, and a few good loops.

knots 

Here are direct links to the sellers in this collection:

tissue88 Chinese art inspired work
FibreSeedling crafts & Jewelry (2 items)
Sarah Collection Chinese Knotting Crafts
aTwistofFateDesign Handcrafted Vintage Inspired Jewelry
NautilusMaritime Nautical Jewelry and the Arts of the Traditional Sailor
myrebe creating pieces from textiles
piedras  original jewelry by Abigail Mount Miller
carriebea Carrie Bea's Accessories
stonedelite StoneDelite original jewelry by Angelique
NiceKnots Celtic Knotwork & Leather Jewelry
Remmie Handmade Jewelry Hair Pieces Vintage & Crafted Items
ss10001 Micro-macrame and More Jewelry and Accessories!
ArtisticJewelry2010 Charming jewelry collected from Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
mysticknotwork Turks Head Style Sailor Bracelets since 1957
TopKnotch Top Knotch Gear

WhatKnotShop shopping guide part two

Design - Two shops have different stock of these unique bracelets. Some have beadwork, some have toggle closures, some are small, some are large. Each one is handmade from cord, beads, & cotton floss, held together with four ply nylon thread. All are special
Shop design on Etsy
Shop design on Zibbet

Fiber wrapped jewelry - An offshoot of the knot business that came about from a creative use of the leftover pieces of cord that are created when a knot bracelet is made. These are "up cycled" slip on bracelets and choker style necklaces made by wrapping deconstructed string and floss around core materials.
Shop for wrapped fiber jewelry on ArtFire
Shop for wrapped fiber jewelry on Zibbbet

Beaded rope bracelets - Another offshoot of the knot tying work that has recently expanded into other experimental forms. Some bracelets incorporate beads in traditional turks head knot designs like the example shown on the left while other pieces are more about the beads.
Beaded knot bracelets on ArtFire
Beaded knot bracelets on Zibbet

Extra wide cuffs - These are the most dramatic wide slip on cuff bracelets available. Each one is a carefully made knot requiring many hours of work to lay out and then work up to the finished shape. This example is ready to slip on your wrist and tighten up to a comfortable custom fit.
See extra wide cuffs on ArtFire
See extra wide cuffs on Zibbet

How to make turks head knots - some interesting sites

First off the Wikipedia definition for those of you new to the hobby.

There are a number of excellent online tutorials available that show how to tie turks head knots.
Here are a few of my favorites:

The Golden Knots site "Hand-crafted Knot Jewelry: Decorative Marlingspike Seamanship rendered in precious metal" There are some good illustrated "how-to" instructions in cotton cord as well.
 5 lead x 4 bight     click here
 7 lead x 8 bight     click here
both illustrated with still photos by Loren Damewood

Jan Brett's Sailor Bracelet site is a nice simple single page illustration of how to make a classic three part rope bracelet. This would be a great project for kids on a rainy afternoon.

Alan Folsom's knotting page is another great source for instructions on tying turks heads. How to Tie a Turkshead will get you started.

Animated Knots by Grog has a great animated sequence showing how to tie the basic three part turks head also know as a "woggle" by the boy Scouts.

Stormdrane's Blog has a video that will get you started on a bigger project.

One of the many video tutorials showing how to tie a simpler 5 x 4 knot

Disclaimer: Now this short listing is not complete. I'm sure there are a number of other sites with instructions and illustrations not to mention the large number of crafters and old salts who make and sell a wide variety of things nautical. Please feel free to leave messages with additional references or comments.

custom work for kids 816

Every now and then I receive a request for a custom piece for a younger person. I like making these for kids as it continues the tradition of having something cool and special that is yours alone.

This is a special request for someone who was passionate about purple but needed a smaller size than was offered in the online shop.

I had a bit of the purple cord remaining from the original dye batch which was long enough to make this 12 x 5 x 3 double diamond design.

So don't be shy about asking for a child sized version of work that is listed in the online shops. Most of the pieces offered can be made in smaller sizes that will fit younger kids as well as tweens.

Measure according to this guide then visit any one of these online shops to look over the selections, and contact me if you would like a special order made to fit a special child.

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatKnotShop
ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/WhatKnotShop
Zibbet: http://www.zibbet.com/WhatKnotShop

Nominal sizes for WhatKnotShop bracelets

There are typically three approximate sizes listed in the online  postings. Here’s what they mean: 

SMALL - less than 7" (178 mm) inside circumference

MEDIUM  - more than 7” (178 mm) but less than 8” (203 mm) inside circumference

LARGE  - more than 8” (203 mm) inside circumference

Actual dimensions are posted in each listing are given so that you may select the correct “slip-on” size for your personal best fit.

All measurements are approximate as the bracelet materials are stretchable and can vary somewhat.

Find a wide selection of genuine turks head knot rope sailor bracelets at 

WhatKnotShop on ETSY

Part 8: Completing the double

Most of the slack is worked through. There remain some strands to double up.

ready to try this?
bulk cord in white and hand dyed colors available here

Pop the knot off the mold and use the fid to complete the doubling. This makes it easier to flex the knot fabric and thread the cord.

Here the knot is completely doubled but is a bit messy with uneven tension and shape.

A top view of the completly doubled knot.

At this point the knot is placed on another mold and worked up to the final, even tension using the round jaw pliers to grab the individual strands.
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