Step 1: Prep Your Hemp Cord
Fold your 30' piece of hemp cord in
half, then take one of the cut ends and put a very thin layer of glue on, using
your fingers. We're talking about a drop here, folks! Use a twisting motion
going with the direction of
the hemp fibers, when applying, so that it creates a point. We're doing this to
make it easier to slide on your beads, otherwise the hemp fibers will fray
apart, making it impossible to strand anything on there.
Just use regular white glue or something similar. It should dry fairly quickly.
Step 2: Strand Your Beads
Now that your glue is dry, you need to
strand your beads onto the hemp cord. Start with your seed beads - for a small
ankle, you will need about 20-22 beads, but add more, just in case you need
extra. You can always remove them later. End with an "optional" bead
of your choice, which will be use for the end of the tie.
When you're done stranding these one, go ahead and slide them up to within about 8" of where you folded your cord in half.
When you're done stranding these one, go ahead and slide them up to within about 8" of where you folded your cord in half.
Step 3: Knot the First End of Your Tie
Slide your first bead (your optional
one) up into the "fold" of your cord and then, with both strands
together, tie an overhand knot to lock your bead into place. If you are not
using a bead here, then just go ahead and tie your overhand knot without a
bead. It looks much cooler with a bead here, though! :)
Step 4: Placing Your Slip Knot
We will be tying our hemp bracelet (or
anklet) on to our wrist or ankle, so we want ties. That first bead we added is
the end of one of our ties, but now we want to give them length, so we're going
to keep our two strands together, taut and even, then we're going to slide down
about 6" (or however long you want your tie to be). At the 6" mark,
we will make our slip knot. After making your slip knot, double-check to make
sure your two strands are still even and taut. If they're not, redo it.
Step 5: Starting Your Chain
Once you have your slip knot in the
proper place, slide your crochet hook through and make your first chain stitch.
Since we have two strands, and not just one, we will be doing
"double-stranded" chains here. No biggie...it will just make things a
bit thicker and cooler looking. :)
Now, before you make your second chain stitch, slide one of your seed beads up and then do your stitch. Repeat this process with all of your chain stitches until your bracelet or anklet is the right length for you. Feel free to keep checking it around your ankle or wrist. You will want it to wrap all the way around without the ends touching - a 1-2" gap would be good (hemp stretches with time or if it's been wet, etc, so you want a little extra space to cinch it up later).
Now, before you make your second chain stitch, slide one of your seed beads up and then do your stitch. Repeat this process with all of your chain stitches until your bracelet or anklet is the right length for you. Feel free to keep checking it around your ankle or wrist. You will want it to wrap all the way around without the ends touching - a 1-2" gap would be good (hemp stretches with time or if it's been wet, etc, so you want a little extra space to cinch it up later).
Step 6:
