How to Begin the Alternating Knot Hemp Bracelet

The alternating square knot is an easy knot that is based on the square knot. It uses the same knotting technique as the square knot with only one difference. It uses the two middle, or carrier strand, one at a time to create a line of square knots with an interesting lace like edging.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hemp thread

1. Cut two equal lengths of hemp string and fold them in half. You will want the two lengths of string to be twice as long as your finished project is going to be.

2. Fold the two lengths of hemp in half and tie a loop knot. This knot will help you knot the cords together and be part of the clasp when finished. To make the knot, take 2 inches of doubled section of hemp thread and wrap them around your finger, take the loop of thread and slip it under the loop around your finger and pull tight.

3. Secure the loop around something and lay the four length of hemp down flat.

4. Take the far left string of hemp and push it to the side. You'll only be working with three threads at a time.

5. Make the first side of a square knot with the three pieces of hemp. The center piece will be the carrier line and you will work with the two pieces on each side. Take the right hand string and cross it over the middle carrier. These two pieces will make a plus sign (+) and there will be a loop made on the right side of the carrier. With the left side thread, go over the leg of the right side thread, under the carrier thread and up through the loop and pull tight.

6. Create the second side of the square knot. Take the thread on the left and cross it over the middle carrier thread. Then take the right side thread and loop it over the left side thread, under the carrier and up between the right and carrier thread. Pull tight.

7. Take the far right side thread and push it to the side. Take the thread that you left out before and use it and the other two threads to create the square knot by repeating Steps 5 and 6. The right side thread will create a loop from the top around the first square knot.

8. Alternate between leaving out the far left and right threads and making the square knot to create the alternating knot. When you have knotted all the hemp thread, tie off all the threads and your project is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• In the first part of the square knot, don't pull this thread too tightly. You want it to be loose enough to curve around the square knot.
• If you don't have a place to loop the end of your hemp on so that you can work on it, you can either tape the end of the hemp knotting to a surface to secure it or use a safety pin to secure it to something. Pinning it to the knee of your jeans works well.