Rate Tutorial
All you need for this technique is your (almost) finished bracelet, some fabric glue, scissors and some tape.
Step 1
First you want to make your pattern as long as you need (I chose to end mine so the overlap will look seamless). For this example I am using pattern number #34499.
You will want to leave your last row uncompleted. (for my example it is row 28 - highlighted by the red square)
Now you want to separate your strings. You will take out the colors needed to complete the last row. (I've highlighted mine with red circles)
The colors should be the same for the top as the bottom. With the leftover string I'm just taping down the ends so they don't get in the way.
After both sides are separated and taped it should look like this.
Step 2
Now you want to have the "right side" of your bracelet facing inwards. Then match up the ends. Secure the "right side" with a piece of tape. This will make sure your bracelet stays together while you're knotting.
So you'll want to take your first pair of strings (in my case it's the yellow ones) and REVERSE foreword knot them together. This is where your knotting string goes UNDER instead of OVER and you'll pull the string DOWN through the loop instead of UP through the loop. You'll make a total of 2 knots this way. This will make the correct knot on the other side - the right side.
Set those strings aside and grab the next pair. (On my pattern it's the orange ones) Repeat by tying each pair with REVERSE foreword knots.
Once you've tied all those put some fabric glue on the knots. I pushed the glue into the knots with a toothpick and my fingers. Be sure to glue the backside of the knots as well. I let mine dry about 10 minutes before moving on to the next step.
Step 3
Untape the rest of the loose strings but leave your previous strings hanging in the front.
For the next knots you can use regular foreword knots because these ones will be behind the first row of knots you made and won't be visible from the "right side".
So for my pattern it'll be the white strings.
After tying the knots put that set aside. Then you'll want to move set number 1 from the first row to the side as well. (That was the yellow strings for my pattern)
So for my pattern it'll be the white strings.
After tying the knots put that set aside. Then you'll want to move set number 1 from the first row to the side as well. (That was the yellow strings for my pattern)
Then you'll knot the next pair of strings between the previous rows' string pairs. (Shown on my photo with red arrows and circle between the yellow and orange strings)
Keep repeating this by knotting the new pairs between the old pairs. This will make sure your bracelet can be as flat as possible.
Keep repeating this by knotting the new pairs between the old pairs. This will make sure your bracelet can be as flat as possible.
My last knot was this white one.
Then once again apply the fabric glue to both sides of the knots. I let this dry another 10 minutes as well.
Step 4
Now you'll want to separate the original strings so you can really flatten the seam. All my top strings were pretty short so they were pretty easy to separate out.
Then pull and smooth each set to each side.
Add more glue to about 2-3mm where the knots are and push it flat with your finger. Let that dry for 10 minutes.
Add more glue to about 2-3mm where the knots are and push it flat with your finger. Let that dry for 10 minutes.
Step 5
Now it's time to pull the tape and see how we did!
Mine was ALMOST seamless. Apparently I had a dark blue knot pop out between my white and light blue ones.
Mine was ALMOST seamless. Apparently I had a dark blue knot pop out between my white and light blue ones.
Step 6
Then you'll just want to trim the ends. I cut mine with about 4mm left on each side. And because we used fabric glue there are no sharp ends!
I added one more coating of glue for good measure.
I added one more coating of glue for good measure.
I have been wearing this bracelet (non-stop) for over 6 months now and it's still holding together.
