Editor’s Note: Kim will be blogging with us every other week. She’s going to make us embrace DIY crafts in a way that’s a little less intimidating than Pinterest. 🙂Â
I’m so excited to bring this crafting series to Too Damn Young! Ever since I was a very little girl, crafting has been part of my life. I like to think that I got my “craftiness” from my grandmother, who I called Nana.
Nana was an amazing seamstress. She made the most beautiful quilts, rag dolls, needlepoints, embroidered pillows, and handmade crafts. I have fond memories of visiting Nana’s house, and her scooping me up onto her lap to teach me how to sew on her sewing machine.
What began as a childhood hobby, has at times served as a sort of therapy as I got older. Crafting, particularly bracelet-making, allows you to get lost in the repetitive motions and turn off your brain. It’s gotten me through some rough times. In fact, science has shown that crafting can help ease anxiety, depression and feelings of stress. I’ve definitely found this to be true. No matter how you’re feeling right now, I hope you find some peace and relaxation through crafting, even if just for a little while.
In this this first post, you’ll learn how to make a bracelet I like to call the “Double-Knot.” It’s super easy, fast to make, and a great beginner bracelet to launch your new-found crafting hobby!
Here’s what you’ll need:
MATERIALS
- embroidery floss (aka string)
- tape measure or ruler
- scissors
- heavy object, such as a book
- beads (optional)
Double-Knot Bracelet
DIRECTIONS
1. Select your string. For the Double-Knot bracelet, you’ll need two different color strings — three strands of each color. Â
I chose blue and white string to create a nice contrast in these tutorial photos, but pick whichever colors speak to you.
2. Measure and cut your string. Using your measuring device of choice, measure and cut six strands, each 40 inches long. Remember, three of one color, three of another.
Pro-tip: I know 40 inches seems insanely long, but these knots use up the string fast. You’re better off snipping a little excess string at the end of the bracelet, than running out of string halfway through and ending up with a bracelet that’s too short to fit around your wrist! (Been there, done that…trust.)
3. Tie a knot at the end the strands. Be sure they’re lined up neatly, then tie a knot about 2-3 inches from the top.
Place a heavy object on top of the string just above the knot to hold it in place. I chose the complete works of Jane Austen because I’m classy like that, but any heavy object will do the trick.
4. Master the “4” knot. This is the most basic bracelet-making knot. Once you get the hang of this knot, it’ll open up a world of bracelet-making possibilities!
Exactly, like the number.
Separate your strands by color. Cross the strands on the left (blue) over the strands on the right (white) creating the “4” shape.
Loop the blue strands under the white strands and through the center of the “4.”
Hold the white strands taut with your right hand while pulling the blue strands up toward your knot with your left hand.
Congrats! You just made a “4” knot! Make another “4” knot using the same strings.
5. Swap strings and make another “4” knot. This time start with the white strands in your left hand and the blue in your right.
Make another “4” knot using the same strings.
6. Continue the pattern, two knots of blue followed by two knots of white, until your bracelet is long enough to wrap around your wrist.
Add beads, if you wish!
7. Tie a knot at the end of your bracelet. If you have more than a few inches of string left over, snip off the excess using your scissors. Make sure you leave enough string to comfortably tie it around your wrist!
And, now, it’s time to Instagram your new bracelet. Tag us if you do, @2DamnYoung!
3 Comments