ES

Macramé and knotting in jewelry

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Macramé and knotting in jewelry

Macramé is the art of making textiles with knots, without a loom. In jewelry it serves for bracelets, anklets, necklaces and to hold stones.

Steps of the technique: Cut the cords, Fix, Square knot, Repeat, Add beads, Finish
Summary of the steps

Basic knots #

  • Square knot: the most used, forms a flat strip.
  • Lark's head: to start and anchor cords.
  • Half knot spiral: gives a twisted braid.
  • Sliding knot: lets you adjust the size without a clasp.

Materials #

Waxed, cotton, hemp or nylon cord; beads and stones. See rope and cord.

How it is done #

The cords are anchored to a base (board or cushion), knotted following the pattern and finished with a clasp or sliding knot.

Tips #

Start with a 1-2 mm cord and a simple pattern; seal the ends with heat if it is nylon.

Step by step #

  1. Cut the cords. About four times the final length.
  2. Fix. With a lark's head knot to a base.
  3. Square knot. Cross left and right.
  4. Repeat. To the desired length.
  5. Add beads. Slide them onto the center cords.
  6. Finish. With a sliding knot or a clasp.

Tools and materials #

  • Waxed, cotton or hemp cord
  • Macramé board or cushion
  • Scissors and tape measure
  • Beads and clasps

Common mistakes #

  • Uneven tension: it ends up wavy.
  • Cord too thin.
  • Cutting short: none left to finish.
  • Not sealing nylon ends.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.