Kit Contains: 2 pieces cotton cord: 1 piece 72 inches (Tying cords); 1 pc. 30 inches (Center cords)
Size 6/0 Seed Beads: Pattern uses 52 beads. Extra beads have been provided.
One Focal Bead
Your cords have been tied into a loop for you. (This was done by folding the long and the short pieces in half, bringing both loops together, and tying them in a single knot.)
The two long cords are the Tying Cords. The two short cords are the Center Cords.
String 24 Seed Beads onto each of the long Tying Cords. You will use a total of 48 beads. Tie a small knot at the very end of each of the Tying Cords to keep the beads from falling off.
The basic pattern is two knots then two beads. The rule is always start and end with two knots.
Depending on how you tie the knots, your result will either be Flat or Spiral.
Flat is achieved by knotting with alternating Tying Cords and Spiral by knotting Tying Cords from one side only. Directions are given for both. Suggestion: Make one side Flat and the other Spiral for the popular asymmetrical look.
It is easier to tie even knots when you can achieve tension. Suggestions: Pin the loop to a macramé board (available separately) or piece of foam board, or cork board with a T-Pin. Use a safety pin to attach it to your jeans (hippy-style!) or pillow. Tape the loop to the table. Attach a cup-hook to a convenient surface. Suction cups with metal hooks work great on clean smooth surfaces.
Directions for Flat Knotting:
All of the knotting is done around the two Center Cords with the two Tying Cords. Arrange cords so the two Center Cords lie between the two Tying Cords (Right and Left). Begin knotting from the left using the Left Tying Cord. Form the Left Tying Cord into the shape of the capital letter “L” with the toe of the “L” lying across the top of the two Center Cords. Take the Right Tying Cord and pass it under the toe of the “L” (formed by the Left Tying Cord), behind the two Center Cords, and out through the space between the Center Cords and the Left Tying Cord. This forms the first knot. Tighten the knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords until it rests just under the loop.
The second knot is tied the same way only in reverse. This time begin knotting from the right using the Right Tying Cord. Form the Right Tying Cord into the shape of the letter “L” with the toe of the “L” lying across the top of the two Center Cords. Take the Left Tying cord and pass it under the toe of the “L” (formed by the Right Tying Cord), behind the two Center Cords, and out through the space between the Center Cords and the Right Tying Cord. This forms the second knot. Tighten the second knot against the first knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords.
Slide up one bead from each of the two Tying Cords until they rest under the first two knots. Tie two more knots identical to the first two being careful to tighten them snugly under the beads. Continue to alternate two beads with two knots until you have 12 beads on each side for a total of 24 (one half of the beads you strung on in the first step). Make sure you end with two knots.
Now string your Center Bead onto the two Center Cords and slide it up to the last knots. Bring the Tying Cords around either side of the Center Bead and use them to tie a knot starting with the Left Tying Cord. Tie a second knot beginning with the Right Tying Cord. Then slide up one bead on each side, and tie two more knots. Repeat until you have used the remaining 24 beads. End with two knots.
Directions for Spiral Knotting:
All of the knotting is done around the two Center Cords with the two Tying Cords. Arrange cords so the two Center Cords lie between the two Tying Cords (Right and Left). Begin knotting from the left using the Left Tying Cord. Form the Left Tying Cord into the shape of the capital letter “L” with the toe of the “L” lying across the top of the two Center Cords. Take the Right Tying Cord and pass it under the toe of the “L” (formed by the Left Tying Cord), behind the two Center Cords, and out through the space between the Center Cords and the Left Tying Cord. This forms the first knot. Tighten the knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords until it rests just under the loop.
The second knot is tied exactly the same way. Tighten the second knot against the first knot by adjusting the two Tying Cords.
Slide up one bead from each of the two Tying Cords until they rest under the first two knots. Tie two more knots identical to the first two being careful to tighten them snugly under the beads. Continue to alternate two beads with two knots until you have 12 beads on each side for a total of 24 (one half of the beads you strung on in the first step). Make sure you end with two knots.
Now string your Center Bead onto the two Center Cords and slide it up to the last knots. Bring the Tying Cords around either side of the Center Bead and use them to tie a knot starting with the Left Tying Cord. Tie a second knot exactly the same starting with the Left Tying Cord. Then slide up one bead on each side, and tie two more knots. Repeat until you have used the remaining 24 beads. End with two knots.
Finishing the Bracelet:
Bring all of the cords together into one knot which rests just after your last macramé knot. Trim all cords even (you should have about 6 inches of cord remaining) and spilt into two groups of two. Tie each group into a knot which rests about 4 inches from the end of the bracelet. Slip a bead onto each of the four strings remaining and anchor them by tying a small knot in each cord up near the bead. Trim four cords close to the knot.
Traditionally friendship bracelets are exchanged between friends, tied on by the giver, and worn until they fall off.
