Rainy days

It's been raining the whole afternoon but it has stopped now and the sun's out.

What do you do on a rainy Sunday afternoon?

Made this 7-strand braided bracelet. Actually, I like the toggle. It's super shiny and I like the clean simple lines. It's rather heavy, definitely not aluminium. I initially braided 4 strands of suede but it was too big for the toggle's hole. I switched to 4 strands of Chinese knotting string and it was too small. I tried 7 strands and it's just nice :-)

I have a bunch of these snappy clips and decided to try the fabric button on them. I think I like these better than the paper clips. Hmm, I've not taken a pic of those, it seems. Soon?

Have a blessed day.

ps: I wonder if there'll be a rainbow later :-)

Bead your own watch bracelet

I've almost completed this before I decided to make a tutorial. Now I'm out of watch faces so I can't take any pics. Anyway, these are the text instructions first.

1. Get your watch face. I found mine at Beadtlesweet at Plaza Singapura. You can also get these at Chinatown or for a wider range, get them online. Just google 'watch face'. I chose the one that lets me stick a strand of Chinese knotting string through the loop at the top. There are many types of 'connections'. Choose the one that you like.

2. Loop 1 strand of Chinese knotting string through. The length of this would be half round your wrist plus the length of the dangle.

3. Cut another length of string about 40cm long. I don't know the length of this 'cos I estimate all the time. This will be used for the square knots.

4. Tie this with an overhand knot just at the loop where the first strand is then string beads onto 1 side of it. I used Miyuki cube beads here. You only need to string the beads on one side.

5. Tie a square knot. Right over left, left over right.

6. Push 1 bead up and tie half a square knot with the bead on the right side. The string with the beads is now on the left. Tie the other half of the square knot with the bead on the left.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till you're happy with the length.

8. Do the same for the other side, ie. steps 3 to 7.

9. Cut another length of string about 15cm long.

10. Separate the middle strands of the 2 beaded sides and bring these together, one facing each way.

11. Use the new string and tie 3 square knots.

12. Trim the middle strands and put stopper beads.

13. Trim and singe all ends. (This part hasn't been done yet in the pic)

Have a blessed day!

Double-hitched

I seldom use the double-hitch knot. The filler strand seems unruly, difficult to control but I thought, with the help of beads, it might be easier to guide where it's supposed to be. If you've not realised by know, I took the 'back' side of this bracelet so the double-hitch looks odd. LOL!

Have a blessed day!

Braiding

I've wanted to try braiding more than 3 strands for a long, long time. Finally tried the 6 strand braid here. It's not as difficult as it looks so I went on and on. This was supposed to be a simple bracelet with a charm at the ends but I was enjoying the braiding so I continued and now it's a double wrap.

I'm going to experiment with other colours.

Have a blessed weekend!

Micro-macrame

I had this chinese knotting string for years. I crocheted something out of it but didn't like it 'cos this string is tough. It's not pliable but the stitch definition is very good. Perhaps this is why it's meant for knotting.

Made this after watching a video online. I didn't have the right tools but I found a very convenient beading tray ... Ferrero Rocher T24 box. It has the right length and depth for this mini project. This could have been longer with more beads but I under-estimated and cut the string too early. I made a longer adjustable strap at the end though.