Instructions for Making Hemp Necklaces

Necklaces made from hemp twine are simple and stylish.

Create a homemade fashion statement with a simple hemp necklace. Simple knots make the necklace appear deceivingly complex to create, and adding simple beads can give hemp necklaces a custom-made flair. Hemp twine is found at most major craft stores and can be purchased in a variety of colors. Easy assembly allows creators to make many different styles for many different occasions. Whether for personal fashion or for gifts, a hemp necklaces is a simple, affordable, homemade jewelry craft.

Instructions

1. Cut four pieces of hemp. Two should be slightly longer than the finished piece. Two should be six times longer than the finished piece.

2. Place the shorter pieces together. Place the longer pieces on the outside of the shorter pieces.

3. Make a small mark on the ends of each thread. Use a black marker on the ends of the middle pieces, a blue marker on the left strand and a red marker on the right strand. These markings will help keep the pieces organized during the knotting process.

4. Fold the red strand over the black strands and under the blue strand. Pull the blue strand under the black strands and up through the red strand. Tighten the knot.

5. Create a second knot by folding the red strand over the black strands and under the blue strand. Pull the blue strand under the black strands and up through the red strand. Tighten the knot.

6. Continue alternating step 4 and 5 until the necklace is the appropriate length.

7. Add beads by threading each bead onto both center strands. Pull the blue and red strands around the sides of the bead and tie a knot on the opposite side. Tie a knot between each bead.

8. Trim the ends of the hemp, so it just a few inches longer than the finished piece will be.

9. Tie a slider knot, so the size can be adjusted. Overlap the two braided ends. Wrap the end of one braid around the other two times. Push the end through the twists and tighten. Repeat with the other side. These knots can slide against each other to tighten or loosen the necklace.

Tips & Warnings

• A metal clasp can be used instead of a slider knot by pushing the ends of the cord tips over the hemp.

• Create a twisted necklace by repeating just one knot (step 4 or step 5, exclusively) throughout the necklace. This will twist the hemp into a double-helix shape.

References

• Beadage: How to Make Hemp Jewelry
• Animated Knots by Grog: The Double Fisherman's Bend