Comments on: How to Make a Hemp Necklace

on 11/22/2005 If you separate the 4 strands, then tape down the 2 middle ones at the top and bottom, it's easier to work with the string.

on 11/22/2005 It's a lot easier to make a necklace or bracelet if you first tie a knot and then attach it underneath a clipboard.

on 11/22/2005 After your bracelet or necklace has been made, you may find it itchy, or rough. To solve this problem, take a match and burn the fuzzy pieces off of it (do not put it in flames), then rub your favorite lotion on it to keep it smelling fresh.

on 11/22/2005 Try using 6 strings instead of three. Alternate a flat tie between the two sides. Make it more interesting with beads on the outer and inner edges.

on 11/22/2005 You can pin it to the couch, but I find a clipboard works wonders. I clip the overhand knot and tape the core pieces to the board (so I don't have to mess with them). I've also purchased (for little money) an actual macramé board made of Styrofoam to be used with T-pins (the ones used in biology and anatomy dissections). This is useful for more involved pieces with multiple types of knots.

on 11/22/2005 Experiment. You can use as many strings as you want. You can use 9 strings with 3 on the sides and 3 in the middle. Then when it gets to the front of your neck (close to where you would put a center bead), break up the 9 strings and make 3 weaves (essentially 3 different necklaces). Add beads, then bring them all together again and finish the necklace.

on 11/22/2005 When you are making your bracelet or necklace, slip the loop over a hanger and hold it between your feet! It's much easier this way.

on 11/22/2005 If you want your hemp necklace to be really cool, you should get some paint (or dyes) in different colors and color the hemp. Be careful, it's messy.

on 11/22/2005 Take a dowel rod and place a nail in it. Bend the nail up, and hook the hoop to the nail.

on 11/22/2005 I find that the necklace holds together better if you put a bead on it right before you tie it off. This way, it is more likely to stay fastened in the loop.

on 11/22/2005 Follow the steps, and when you've made about three inches, take a beer or soda bottle cap and place it at the end of your last weave. Place your finger where the bottle ends and do your next knot. Put a mark at the invisible mark you made with your finger and tighten at the next mark. When the necklace is done, you can cram a cap in the gap you made.

on 11/22/2005 Instead of four strands of string, use three! Just measure your neck once, then fold the strand. Next, take another strand and make it the same length as the FOLDED piece. Don't fold the second strand, just tie them together at the top.

on 11/22/2005 To hold down the necklace while making it, pin it with a safety pin to a chair, couch, or carpet and you can do it while watching TV.

on 11/22/2005 After you finish your hemp necklace, you may find it a little itchy or rough. To get rid of that feeling, put the hemp necklace in water for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

on 11/22/2005 To add beads to a hemp necklace, you can slide them onto the middle strings and then tie a knot as you normally would around the bead. Nice beads look really great on hemp necklaces!