Things You'll Need:
- Hemp string
- Scissors
- Sheet of thick cardboard
- T-pin or large sewing pin
- Large binder clip or clip-on weight
- Large-hole beads
- 2 cord ends/tips
- Needle nose or flat nose pliers
- 2 jump rings
- Necklace lobster or spring clasp
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Step 1
Supplies commonly used in hemp jewelry include wooden beads.Cut two 100- to 150-inch lengths of hemp string for the outside strands and one 25-inch length of hemp for the center strand. The rule of thumb is for the outside (knotting) strands to be approximately five times as long as the middle (filler) strand so you don't run out of string. The middle strand should be a few inches longer than the length of necklace you want to make.
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Step 2
An overhand knot holds the three strands together.Hold the three hemp strands together and tie an overhand knot at the top to hold them together.
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Step 3
Pinning the knot to the cardboard holds it steady.Push your pin through the knot and pin the knot to the top of the cardboard. The cardboard will hold your work in place while you tie the knots to make the necklace.
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Step 4
Spread the strands so that the two longer strands are on the outside and the shorter one is in the middle.
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Step 5
Anchor the middle strand to keep it taut.Attach a binder clip or other type of clip-on weight (a large clothes pin would work) to the end of the middle strand and let it dangle off the side of your table or lap. You want the middle strand kept taut so you can tie knots around it without it bunching up. You could also use a binder clip to clip the middle strand to the cardboard and hold it taut that way.
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Step 6
A half knot goes over and under the middle strand.Tie the first half of a square knot (a half knot) by bringing the RIGHT strand UNDER the middle, then up and over the left strand. Follow this by bringing the LEFT strand OVER the middle strand and down and under the right strand. Pull tight. See Resources for an illustrated tutorial on how to create the half knot if this is new for you.
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Step 7
Tie the second half of the square knot (a half knot in reverse). This is done by reversing what you did for the first half. The RIGHT strand now comes OVER the middle and the LEFT strand goes under, before passing through the loop of the opposite strand on the other side.
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Step 8
Beads are added to the middle strand.Repeat the square knot for approximately one inch, then string a bead on the middle strand and push it up to the knots. If you want your beads evenly spaced on the necklace, count how many knots you made and repeat that between each bead.
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Step 9
A square knot follows after the bead.Continue making more square knots, making sure to pull the outside strands tightly for that first knot after the bead to hold it securely.
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Step 10
Beads are evenly spaced between square knots.Repeat steps 8 and 9 until your necklace is 16 to 17 inches long. Try it on your neck to check fit as you near the end.
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Step 1
Cut the strands approximately one inch from the last knot when your necklace is the length you want it.
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Step 2
Needle nose pliers squeeze the cord end closed to finish the ends.Twist the strands at the end to form a single cord and insert it into a squeezable cord end. Use needle nose or flat nose pliers to squeeze the cord end closed on the strands.
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Step 3
Untie the overhand knot on the starting end and trim the loose strands so they're even. Then twist and insert the ends into the second cord end. Squeeze the cord end closed with pliers as before.
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Step 4
Cord ends are placed on both ends of the necklace.Trim the loose ends sticking out the top of the cord ends.
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Step 5
A clasp finishes the necklace.Twist open two jump rings and attach one to each cord end. On the second end, add the necklace clasp before closing the jump ring.
