Hemp Jewelry Designs

The alternating square knot is a cool hemp knot technique that can be used a variety of ways. It makes a nice basket weave pattern, depending on how many hemp cords that you use.

In these instructions, I have “exploded” the knot pattern so that you can see how it is done. Of course with real life jewelry your knots won’t be this far apart

I am using 8 strands of cord with this tutorial. I recommend that you use 8 cords to start with until you learn the concept behind the technique.

Step One:

To start I pinned down two sets of 4 cords each, and made a square knot on each set. ( I know this picture sucks, but it is to show you how I started it) I also set aside the far right 2 cords and the far left two cords. You can see I am left with the 4 ‘center’ cords now to work with.

Step Two:

I am going to take the ‘center’ 4 cords and make a square knot, using the 2 most center as my knot bearers.

Step 3:

I am going to set aside the 4 most left cords and ONLY work with the 4 most right cords now.  With these right 4 cords I am going to make a square knot.

Make sure that you line up the square knot as best that you can with the square knot above it. (In the example it is the first knot at the top that I made.)

In the picture they do not look lined up due to the fact that I am leaving a lot of space in between each ‘row’.

Step 4:

Now I am going to move over to the left 4 knots that I set aside in step 3 and going to do the same thing…make a square knot with them.

Now I want you to look, I have made “rows”…the first two knots at the top (row 1), the center knot (row 2) and then the next 2 knots (row 3)

The rows that have more than one knot need to be lined up. If not, you are going to end up having a squirrely looking pattern.

Step 5:

Now, back to the center 4 cords. (Remember the first step we set aside the far 2 left cords and the far two right cords? well do it again)

THAT’S IT!

Experiment, practice, have fun with it. The most difficult thing is to get your knots to line up with each other, but with practice you will get it.

If you have questions let me know!!

Happy Knotting

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I know it has taken me two weeks to get this up. Ya’ll have probably already found the solution to the question how to continue with the pretzel knot, but I will put up here for reference anyhow. I am sorry I am late getting this up.

To add more knots:

After you have the first one done, you will have two strands coming down. With the left one, start your next pretzel knot by making a loop. (Just like you did in step one on this post)

Next:

You will take the right strand and continue with the knot.. and you will have the second knot done like this picture:

Of course, I did not tighten the knot or adjust it to be closer or farther from the first knot.

I just wanted to show how to continue on making these knots.

I hope that this helps explains a bit what I was talking about in the comments of my first josephine knot instruction post.

Happy Knotting

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I finally have gotten the pictures done for the zig zag design!

The first picture is kind of fuzzy, so please bare with it, but the rest turned out well.

I started with just an overhand knot, then made a square knot to show you from there how to make the zig zag design. I am only using 4 cords to show this instruction, but you can use many more if you choose too.

How to make the zig zag knot

STEP 1:

This picture shows after I have made those knots. I put a T pin in the upper right hand side, near the knot bearer that I am going to be using, to hold it in place. Follow the small arrow, and that shows you the knot bearer. The other three cords are the knotting cords.

The knot bearer is going to be going ACROSS the knotting cords at an angle. Make sure this cord is fastened down. (I use tape)

STEP 2:

You are then going to make a double half hitch knot(which is just a half hitch knot done twice) with EACH of the 3 knotting cords. I made these knots far apart so that you can see how it is done.

STEP 3:

You will put your T pin (or even a push pin whatever you decide to use to hold the cord in place) at the end of your 3rd knot and take your knot bearer and put it across the three knotting cords again in the opposite direction.

STEP 4:

Then you are going to make double half hitch knots again with your 3 knotting cords. This time I did them closer together, to show how it will really look.

STEP 5:

Repeat 3 and 4 until finished.

NOTE: I made the design far apart so that it is better to see how it is done. You can go to my site and see the hemp choker I made. Scroll down to the zig zag design.

Well I hope this isn’t too confusing. It was difficult to figure out how to take the pictures and describe it so that it makes sense.

If you have questions, ask. No question is dumb. I am here to help if I can.

Happy Knotting

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