Basic Designs
The only other knots are combinations of right and left hand knots, such as right-left hand knots and left-right hand knots (pretty self explanitory).
I have found a variation on the basic bracelet that is quite impressive
looking but not much more difficult than the plain ones. It uses two colors
with four strands of each. An easy way I have found to do this is make the
strands double the length, use half as many, and fold them over before tying
the knot. This provides a loop which I usually put around my toe or something
else to hold the bracelet still. I made one of these with red and black
floss. I started with the four red strands on the left. Do double right
hand knots untill all the red strands are on the right. Then, split the
strands into two separate sets- one of red and one of black. Start with
the leftmost black strand and do three double right hand knots, ending before
knotting the black strand with the first red one. Knot just the black
strands together for about 1 1/2 inches. Go back up and do the same with
just the red strands. When the two parts of the bracelet are the same length,
start another row of black but continue all the way across to connect the
two parts.
The next most basic design is the "V". It combines the two basic
double knots. The minimum number of strands I use is eight. The bracelet
requires four colors- I use one strand of each color about 5-6 feet long and
again fold it over.
Arrow
Basic Knots
There are generally two different knots used in all the designs I have here-
the right hand knot and the left hand knot. I am trying to use a drawing
program to make diagrams, but I will also explain them in case the pictures
don't turn out. The right hand knot is what those plain diagonal looking
bracelets are made with. To start, lay the two strings you are using in an
upside down V. Take the left string over top of the right string to make a
sort of 4. Bring the left string up through the opening in the "4" behind
the right string. Pull the left string tightly towards the top of the upside
down "V". You have just completed one right hand knot! However, to finish
the entire knot you have to repeat the process. This is called a double
right hand knot, and afterwards the two strings should be reversed, with
the original left strand on the right and vice versa.
Here is a diagram, but this is only a single knot. To make a
double knot the first step has to be done again.
The other basic knot, the left hand knot, is simply a mirror image of the
right. The four is made backwards and with the right hand strand over the left.
Again the strands should be reversed when the double knot is finished.
The Basic Bracelet
A very basic bracelet is made from four strands of embroidrey floss. They
should each be about three feet long and should be tied together about two
inches from one end. Simply start with the leftmost strand and do double
right hand knots from left to right. With four strands there should be
three double knots which slant down and to the right slightly. When the
first strand reaches the far right, take the new leftmost strand and do the
same. When the bracelet is as long as you want, braid the end for about
two inches, tie a knot in it, and trim the ends so they are even. Untie the
knot at the top of the bracelet and braid and trim that end as well.
