How to Do the Wave Knot Stitch

The wave knot stitch works best with embroidery floss but yarn can be used as an alternative.

The wave knot stitch is a relatively simple craft. The most difficult part of this stitch is keeping track of where you are in the pattern, but the actual knot is easy to perform. The wave knot stitch is most commonly used to make bracelets, anklets and necklaces, although you could incorporate it into a variety of weaving or macrame crafts. Wave knot bracelets are sometimes traded as friendship bracelets. The wave knot stitch creates a pleasing pattern of intersecting colors which you can choose to suit you or your friend's personality.

Things You'll Need

• 4 feet pink embroidery floss
• 4 feet red embroidery floss
• 4 feet orange embroidery floss
• 4 feet yellow embroidery floss
• 4 feet green embroidery floss
• 4 feet blue embroidery floss
• 2 pieces of 4 feet brown embroidery floss
• Clipboard

Instructions

1. Tie all eight threads together. Line them up so that the ends match up at both ends. Keep the brown threads together on the left end of group. They will be hidden inside the stitch to create the bumpy wave look. Take all the threads and cross them over themselves at one end. Insert the short end of the threads through the loop and pull. Clip the short end to a clipboard so that the threads will stay in place while you work.

2. Take the thread closest to the brown threads and tie all three into a basic right knot. The brown threads should be on the far left and the other thread should be immediately to the right of them. Hold the brown threads straight and loop the other thread around them. Insert the tail of the other thread through the loop and pull. Repeat this action to make a double knot. Continue this step with the next closest threads individually until all the other threads have been tied to the brown threads. All of the threads should be on the left side of the brown threads.

3. Tie the brown threads and the thread on their immediate left into a basic left knot. Hold the brown threads still and loop the other thread around them. Push the end of the other thread through the loop and pull. Repeat to create a double knot. Tie the next thread immediately to the left of the brown threads in the same way. Continue tying all the threads to the brown threads until all the threads are on the right side of the brown threads. Alternate between Steps 2 and 3 until all but three inches of the thread has been used.

4. Tie an overhand knot once you are three inches from the end of the thread. Take all eight threads and cross them over themselves. Insert the ends of the threads through the loop and pull tightly. Unclip the other end from the clipboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Never tie the threads to anything but the brown threads. This will disrupt the wave pattern.

References

• Knot Cool: Basic Knots
• I Will Knot: Overhand Knot