Monday, June 23, 2014

Knotorial 13 - The Static Cloud (Bracelet)

This weave reminds me of lightning through clouds, so it's just called 'The Static Cloud'.

It's a flat and wide pattern, but requires a lot of cord. Could also be a nice belt and it is very easy to attach a D-ring in the middle, so it can be used as a beautiful dog collar.

It's also the first knotorial which can be used on a jig, because it's tied around a core.

Used (boiled) paracord for:
~20,5cm (~8 in.) bracelet

~220cm (~7.2 ft.) neon turquoise
~280cm (~9.2 ft.) rust

The 220cm cord already includes 20cm additional cord to cover wrist measure and buckle attachment.

To prevent the bracelet from shrinking, I recommend to put the cords in boiling hot water for a few minutes.
Step 01:

Since this weave can be done on a jig, I've started it in a different way. Use the short cord to begin with a Cow Hitch and leave a small space in the middle of the buckle.


If you just want to see the technique, you can skip to Step 11 !
Step 02:

Pull the ends through the buckle again, using the small space...

...to get a result as shown in the picture.

 Step 03:

Pull the ends through the frontside of the other buckle...
 ...pull them through the
cords in the middle and lay
them left and right over the middle cords...
 ...pull the ends through the buckle again, using the space left and right from the middle cords...
 ...then pull the ends back through the loops, forming two Cow Hitches, as shown in the picture.
 Step 04:

Add the second color which must be the long cord and pull the end through the two Cow Hitches...
 ...pull it all the way through, until you reached the exact middle of the long cord.
Tighten the Cow Hitches firm to get a result as shown in the picture.

For the overall length, I recommend to add 1,5cm (0.6 in.) to your wrist range.

So my result was 19cm at this point.

 Step 05:

To keep the longest cord under 300cm length, I've used the short cord to build the core.

Because of that, the beginning is slightly different and the outer cord must be inside.

So use the short right end and put it over the long cord.
 Step 06:

Then use the right short cord to form a loop under the long end.
 Step 07:

Pull the long end behind the loop, over the core strands.
 Step 08:

Pull the long end behind the core strands and back through the loop...
 ...and pull it all the way through the loop.
Step 09:

Tighten the loop and knot firmly to get a result as shown in the picture.

 Step 10:

Repeat Step 05 - Step 09 on the left side. Use the short left cord to form a loop behind the long end.
 Pull the long end behind the loop and over the core strands. Then pull it behind the core strands and back through the loop.
 Tighten the loop and knot firmly to get a result as shown in the picture.
Step 11:

Now the cords are on the right place to keep continuing the technique.

Use the right short end to form a loop under the long cord.

Step 12:

Pull the long end behind the loop and over the core strands.

Step 13:

Pull the long end behind the core strands and back through the loop...

...pull the end all the way through the loop.
Step 14:

Tighten the loop and knot firmly to get a result as shown in the picture.

 Step 15:

Repeat Step 11 - Step 14 on the left side. Use the short end to form a loop behind the long cord.

Pull the long cord behind the loop and over the core strands.
 Step 16:

Pull the long end behind
the core strands and back
through the loop.
Step 17:

Tighten the loop and knot firmly.


Well done, the technique is completed !
 To continue the weave, repeat Step 11 - Step 17 until you almost reached the end of the bracelet.
Step 18:

To get both sides even, I've added a loop, by pulling the long end behind the bracelet...

...then over it and back through the loop.
 Step 19:

To finish the weave, simply add an overhand knot with the bracelet in the middle, like the Cobra Weave...
 ...and tighten it firmly.
Step 20:

Cut and singe the ends.

 The finished bracelet.
I hope you enjoyed tying the Static Cloud.

Feel free to post pictures of your results or leave some feedback.

Happy knotting !

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Knotorial 12 - The Bullfrog (Bracelet)

This pattern reminds me of a frog, particularly frog's legs.

It's somewhat challenging to tie and firm this one, but it's a nice design and doesn't need much cord.

The weave is not very thick, but you'll need more length than your wrist measures.

Used (boiled) paracord for:
~21cm (~8.2 in.) bracelet

~170cm (~5.6 ft.) neon green
~170cm (~5.6 ft.) charcoal grey

This sample is 21cm long and is a slightly loose fit to my 17,5cm wrist.

To prevent the bracelet from shrinking, I recommend to put the cords in boiling hot water for a few minutes.
Step 01:

Start with a buckle connected with two colors.

Knotorial 01 shows, how to attach the cords.

 Step 02:

This design is tied by the backside.

Use the inner cords to form loops around the outer cords, first behind, then over them.
 Step 03:

Use the outer cords to form a cross over the inner cords.
 Step 04:

Use the inner cords to form loops around the outer cords again, this time over, then behind them.
 Step 05:

Pull the ends from the outer cords through both loops
on each side.
 Pull the ends all the way through the loops.
 Step 06:

That's all ! Tighten the loops and knots firmly, pull on every loop to get a good result.

It's somewhat difficult a couple of times, but I got used to it fairly quick.
Your frontside should look as shown in the picture.

The inner and outer colors should be inverted now.
 To continue the pattern, repeat
Step 02 - Step 06 until you reached the desired bracelet length.

Don't forget to calculate the buckle and the finish for the length.


Step 07:

To finish the bracelet, turn it to the frontside and use the outer cords to form loops around inner cords, going over, then under them.

Form another loop on the other side.
Step 08:

Pull the cords through the frontside of the other piece of the buckle.

Step 09:

Turn it to the backside and pull the inner cords through both loops that were created in Step 07.

Step 10:

Pull the remaining outer cords through the loops, one on each side.

Step 11:

Tighten the loops and knots firmly to get a result as shown in the picture.

Step 12:

Cut and singe the ends.

The finished bracelet.
I hope that you had no difficulties tying The Bullfrog.

Feel free to post pictures of your results or leave some feedback.

Thank you and happy knotting !