make better “square” knots
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crystvlle
Advanced
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1 year ago by crystvlle
i’ve been making friendship bracelets for a long time. just recently started learning how to make alpha bracelets though my knotting has improved and my alpha bracelets are less elongated, i am still struggling making pixel, “square” like knots exactly on the reference. help me make the perfect square knot.
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crystvlle
Advanced
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1 year ago by crystvlle
i’ve loosened my knots, pushed up each row with a ruler, my string is “thick” enough and all of the same brand and thickness.
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itarosky
Bracelet King
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1 year ago by itarosky
I haven't tried it myself, but I saw an advice around here that you use a bit thicker thread for your base strings (like crochet yarn), which I believe will contribute to a more even shape of knots.
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crystvlle
Advanced
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1 year ago by crystvlle
thank you ! any more tips ?
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emiliecw
Professional
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12 months ago by emiliecw
If you want your knots to look like squares, look up pixel macrame. It uses a vertical clove hitch knot (aka double half hitch), which is essentially the reverse side of a regular alpha knot. This is how I do all of my alphas because I like the clean look better. And, as stated above, your stitches will be too long if your base string is the same size as the working string. You need to either double the base string or use a thicker string as a the base.
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halokiwi
Moderator
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12 months ago by halokiwi
@emiliecw I don't think it should make a difference in regards to the size of the knots, because it is the same knot, just upside-down, right?
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emiliecw
Professional
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12 months ago by emiliecw
@halokiwi - yes, that's right. The traditional alpha knot and vertical clove hitch are basically just opposite sides of the same knot. So to get the right dimensions of each knot and the final design (like not have the design too stretched or too squat) requires the right balance of base string size versus tying string size, combined with tension. That's going to be true whichever knotting method you choose. That being said, the vertical clove hitch knot looks more square because the tying strings are going straight across the vertical base strings - in comparison to the traditional alpha knots that must go diagonally across the vertical base strings.
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Bullfish
Advanced
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2 weeks, 1 day ago by Bullfish
Thread is already old, but I do my alpha bracelets with the pixel macrame knots as well for many yeas now. And I must say, that the effect of even knots was visible from first ever done alpha right away.So basically it does not take much longer than doing "nomal" knots, it is just that little "Twist" on each knot that creates these "squary" knots. I almost neve do "normal" bracelets, but will soon try this technique soon on those as well. Basically it is just switching to "reverse" working. For all knots: bring working stand under base string to the other side For Rows from left to right: work backward knots, every first knot has this additional "twist" of bringing working strand under base string. Second knot then is a normal backward knot. For rows from right to left: work forward knots, every first knot on each base string has this additional "Twist" of bringing working strand under base string. Second knot on each base string then is just a normal forward knot. I have to adjust line-up rarely, sometimes not at all. So it basically does not take longer than working on rows with a ruler or finger to even them out. My base strings are slightly thicker than my working strands. Working strands are all of same make to have identical strands. Try a small alpha, e.g. a keychain, with this technique, use a simple pattern and check out if that technique works for you as well. I could see it right on my fist alpha done with this technique and I do not need to think about the working process anymore. Also for my strand tension it seems way easier. But I guess that this is an individual thing. Have fun trying it. |
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