Create Your Crafts

DOWNLOAD PDF INSTRUCTIONS

SUPPLIES & TOOLS
2 qty. 40” – 50” length of Bead Cording, hemp or other thin strong cording
1 qty. Medium size button with shank for closure
4mm facet beads or similar*
Small buttons with shanks*
Bead Fix glue or Fray Check
Sharp Scissors
Cork board and pins or clipboard

1. *NOTE: The number of beads and buttons depends on how long and how much you want to embellish the bracelet. Sample used a button from Dress It Up Gingerbread People for the closure and mini gingerbread men from the Christmas Miniatures button assortment.

INSTRUCTIONS
To start, take the two lengths of cord and lay side by side. Find the center point of each. Secure these center points either by pinning to a corkboard or using a clipboard so that they are secure as you start your knotting.

First, you will create the bracelet’s loop closure by tying some Larks Head knots. The cord on the Left will be the Base cord. The cord on the Right will be the Working cord.

1. Take the Working (right) cord and cross over the Base (left) cord. Then, go under the Base cord (going clockwise). Finally, cross back over the Working cord and pull tight.
2. To complete the Lark’s Head knot, take the Working cord and slip it under the Base cord, then over the Base cord (going clockwise). Finally, slip under the Working cord and pull to knot.

Repeat these two steps to make enough Larks Head knots to equal about 1 1/2” the size of the closure button.

Bend the knotted section into a circle. Use both ends of the Working cords and tie a square knot tightly around the two Base cords to create the loop closure. You should have four cords; the middle two are Base cords and the outer two are the Working cords.

For the bracelet design, you will be making the basic square knots, similar to making paracord bracelets. For knotting the bracelet, W will stand for Working cords and B will refer to the Base cords.

Basic Knotting steps:

1. Take the right W cord and going in the left direction, slip under the two B cords and come out over the left W cord. Take the left W cord and going back in the right direction, bring it over the two B cords and slip it under the right W cord. Pull cords tight.
2. Take the left W cord and going in the right direction, slip under the two B cords and come out over the right W cord. take the right W cord and going back in the left direction, bring it over the two B cords and slip it under the left W cord. Pull cords tight to complete the set of knots.

Repeat these two steps about 4 – 5 times to start the bracelet.

Adding Beads:

1. Take the right W cord and string on a bead. Complete the knotting steps 1 and 2 to finish one knot.
2. Add one more complete knot.
3. Do step 1. Add a bead to the left W cord and complete step 2.
4. Add one more complete knot.

Repeat these steps to add as many beads you want.

Adding Buttons:

1. Add 2 – 3 complete sets of knots before adding a button.
2. Take the two Base cords and string on a button.
3. Complete a set of knots to secure button.
4. Add 2 -3 complete sets of knots.

Repeat steps of adding beads and buttons in a pattern as you like until you reach the desired length of your bracelet. Keep in mind to finish the end of the bracelet design to match the beginning of the bracelet with the same bead pattern.

Add 4 -5 complete knots. Take all four cords or at least the two base cords and tie on the button for the closure. Knot securely. Trim off excess cord. Dab a little bead fix or fray check on the ends of the cords to prevent fraying and let dry.