Forum - Newbies - Is there a way to prevent Fishbone patterns from curling? | BraceletBook

Is there a way to prevent Fishbone patterns from curling?

Reply

sjandrews Skiller	2 years, 9 months ago by sjandrews Hi, I made a fishbone rainbow bracelet and it is super easy and so pretty. I followed Masha Knots tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZen3hlixaA. I gave it away and saw it later on my friend and it had curled right up along the length of the bracelet. It still looks pretty - but not as pretty as when it is flat. Is there a way to prevent this from happening?
senor Bracelet King	2 years, 8 months ago by senor you could put books on top of the bracelet or iron it
sjandrews Skiller	2 years, 8 months ago by sjandrews Thanks - I will try that, but I suspect it will roll again once it's on her wrist again.

aurelius Bracelet King	2 years, 8 months ago by aurelius i have heard that people soak their bracelets in hot water (test your string first, it would be awful if the colours bled) and then lay them flat with a book on top until they dry. it might just be the structure of the bracelet causing it to curl which would be unfortunate 🙁
_vivi_f Professional	2 years, 8 months ago by _vivi_f Change the way you do your knots this happens with super light weight bracelets so idk how to say this but make your bracelet heavier I guess?
sjandrews Skiller	2 years, 8 months ago by sjandrews Thanks very much @_vivi_f that actually makes sense. I will try using ‘heavier’ yarn.
_vivi_f Professional	2 years, 8 months ago by _vivi_f @sjandrews I don’t think it’s the thread you are using. I think you just need to tie your knots a little tighter
_vivi_f Professional	2 years, 8 months ago by _vivi_f You are using embroidery floss? Right?

sodapop Bracelet King	2 years, 8 months ago by sodapop Fishbones inherently have a weak knot structure because fb and bf knots are somewhat "stretchy" and the folding in on itself seems to be normal as much as annoying. I think the reason this happens is because as you knot diagonally in a V shape, the strings are being pulled downward but essentially toward the center, which slightly warps and pinches it inward. I've found some relief from that by rotating the bracelet slightly and attaching it to my clipboard so that the diagonal row is now straight across and parallel with wide part of the clip and the loose strings are coming straight down like the base strings of an alpha (but away from the center). Then knot the row straight across. That just gives you a better visual on which direction the strings should be pulled as you knot, which is outward, not toward the center. It would be a hassle to keep rotating, clipping and unclipping for every row so you don't have to do that, but just keep in mind what's happening with the underlying strings that you knot ONTO. The threads that pass through knots can still "slip" around, and they need enough space to either stay flat (plain f or b) or form a full right angle underneath (fb or bf). So if you pull the fb and bf knots too firmly toward the center, you're shortening the distance and possibly distorting the location where the knot should be nested. If you look at the knot structure on #7954 try clicking on one of the strings to isolate the path in the zigzaggy outward direction, maybe you can visualize how much length is needed between knots to keep the proper spacing in the grid structure. All those direction changes (fb/bf knots) need breathing room so to speak, to keep the corners from rounding or straightening. Whereas in a regular chevron, those underlying strings have a straight path out to the edge resulting in a stronger and naturally tighter structure. Tight knots are still fine in a fishbone, as long as they land in the right spot. Sometimes it helps to flip the pattern and knot it upside down so the straight diagonal rows (plain f and b knots) go outward like an A shape instead of inward like a V. I always prefer knots to travel outward whenever possible, especially on the edges, just seems to turn out nicer. Well that was probably waaay to much info for such a simple problem lol!! 😂 😊
sodapop Bracelet King	2 years, 8 months ago by sodapop Have you tried using a foam macrame board? It's an amazing tool to help organize your strings while you work. You can easily pin down parts of your bracelet instead of using tape or leaving the bracelet loose to wiggle around. Then you can pull your strings out in the proper direction without distorting the shape.
sjandrews Skiller	2 years, 8 months ago by sjandrews WOW. Thank you for that amazing explanation. I had not thought about the underlying structure of the know before, never mind which direction the threads faced. I will have to digest that slowly and see if I can recreate what you describe slowly. BTW - explaining that in a video would be amazingly interesting! I DO have one of the Macramé boards. I got one just last week. I haven't really tried what you describe about keeping my strings tidy - but I will give that a try too. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain that so well.

Reply