experiments with string weaving overview

 With plenty of indoor time and an increasing collection of materials comes some experimentation with a simple style of weaving. These examples are highly textured made rapidly on simple circular molds. Cores are braided or twisted cotton with cotton wrappings.

These were done fast without concern for detail or finish. The gaps exposing the cores offer a patterning (checkerboard) effect. The loose ends are left to create additional interest.

 These take on a more regular form when the process is refined and more care is taken placing the wrappings on the cores. The tight stacking creates a more disciplined finish. This lacks the exuberant raggedness of the first group but has more subtle color possibilities.

Warp cords are 3 mm cotton
Weft is a combination of ordinary dyed corn string and unwound strands of thin cotton rope

Want to see how these are made?
View the step-by-step tutorial click here.

Lightweight #18 cotton in grey, navy, and marsala red where the cord takes a very light influence from the dye bath. The pastel blending of the dye and cotton creates a pleasant color range that shares the semi-transparent effect.







design and photographs copyright 2017 

blue double string bracelets 3826

 Lightweight and colorful these sting bracelets are double loops of braided cotton cord with cotton floss accents. The overlapping ends are secured with a traditional coach whipping of waxed thread.

size is 8" (2013 mm)

some other designs you might like:

beaded string bracelet with coach whippings 

black 14 string bracelet -wider design

two strand red paracord bracelet

two strand string bracelet with navy and bronze

black string cuff bracelet

tangled string toggle bracelet

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


design and photographs copyright 2016

4 wrap handmade rope bracelet with button 3297

 More hand manufactured cotton rope this time featuring a wrapped loop. The wrapping is waxed thread otherwise used for stitching leather shoes and other projects. It is a nice heavy gauge, quite strong and develops a pleasing texture when used in this way.

The rope is a 4-ply construction (hence the two hole button). (More information on the rope machine to be published later.)

 This is a thicker two hole poly clay button cut like a cookie then baked (also like a cookie) but unfortunately not edible.

As with the other pieces in this series the button is placed in the rope machine with the yarns threaded through the holes. As the rope is formed  by twisting the button becomes the termination point.

Shown here as a four wrap bracelet this piece can also be a longer length necklace. About 7 1/2" (191 mm )with four wraps or 35" (889 mm) in a single loop.

Cord color is an off-white the poly clay button is a marbled composite of white grey and tan.




design and photographs © copyright 2014 WhatKnotShop

double loop button bracelet with wood beads 3189

8 mm bamboo wood beads

braided cotton cord

cotton cord wrapped keeper loop

oversize button



                 available by special order


design and photographs © copyright 2013 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