How to Weave Hemp Rope
Hemp rope, or hemp twine, is a very economical choice of fibers to use in order to make jewelry. While most people would associate hemp jewelry with hippies and surfers, it is a wonderful medium to work with, and after you learn the basics, you can make any style of jewelry you like. There are varying widths and lengths of hemp rope, as well as colors that you can use to make your jewelry, but until you learn the basic technique, stick with the natural color.
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Things You'll Need
- Hemp rope (twine)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Old bracelet
- Beads and charms (optional)
- Pushpin
- Piece of wood or plastic
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of the old bracelet. Now multiply that length by 6. For instance, if your bracelet measures 8 inches, 8 times 6 equals 48. So measure out a length of hemp that is 48 inches long.
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2
Measure another length of hemp that is double the first length. So if our first length is 48 inches, the second length of hemp should be 96 inches.
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3
Put both pieces of hemp together, fitting the shorter inside the longer and fold them in half. Tie a simple knot next to the folded end. This will be the area in which you will secure it to something while you are making the bracelet so it doesn't move, as well as be one side of the clasp that will keep it together around your wrist. The clasp is the knot that you tie into the hemp.
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4
Secure the hemp to something, like a pushpin in a piece of wood or plastic that will not move. Separate the strands of the hemp into four strands with the two shorter in the middle.
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5
Begin with the left hand side of the hemp strands. Pull the strand more to the left at a 45 degree angle away from the other hemp strands. Weave the end of the strand over the top of the two short strands and underneath the right strand, creating a shape similar to a 4.
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6
Take the right long strand of hemp while holding on to the left strand to maintain the figure 4 shape. Now weave the right-hand side long strand under the center strands and pull it through the 4 on the left side. Use something heavy at the end of the short strands to hold them in place while you pull the knot tight with the two long strands.
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7
Perform Steps 5 and 6 on the right-hand side, continuing to alternate sides in order to have a straight hemp bracelet. For a spiral, continue following Steps 5 and 6 strictly on the left side.
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8
Add beads and charms to the two center short strands, continuing with the knots afterward. When the bracelet is complete, add one last bead to the end that is small enough to fit inside the circle clasp at the other end, but large enough that it will not fall out. Place two more regular knots after the final bead and cut off the excess string. The circle clasp is the first knot that you made in the hemp, the final bead goes through the loop knot at the top of the bracelet.
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Tips & Warnings
You can apply wax to the ends of the hemp bracelet to ensure that it will not come undone or fray. It does not matter which side you begin making knots on, so long as you continue with the basic technique. You can purchase all of your supplies at a craft store.
