A couple of months back we made a simple spiral bracelet, which was not only easy but required a simple and basic knot structure used in most of the bracelets made from yarn or embroidery floss. And whatever pattern you follow in a bracelet, you need to know the basic forward and backward knot structure to form the beautiful designs, whether they are wavy, circular, bricked, or zigzag.

Today we are making a wavy rainbow bracelet. It may not look easy at first, but within a few knots you will get the hang of it and realise how beautiful it will look when finished.

Things you need:

1. Yarn/ embroidery floss (as many colours as you want), I used seven different colours.

2. A button or a bead.

3. Scissors

Note: This wavy patterned bracelet follows two steps. Step one forward knots, step two backward knots.

Directions:

1. Cut the yarn or embroidery floss to minimum 35 to 40 inches long strands. Keep in mind that you have to use two strings as the base on which all the coloured strands will be knitted on, so exclude them when counting the rainbow colours.

2. Make a loop and tie a knot according to the size of the button to be used for the lock; picture 3 (cut out the rest of the threads).

3. To make the knots, you need to tuck your strands from the loop side anywhere; if you have a clipboard it will do great but if you don’t, then tape or pin it on a straight surface; picture 4.

4. Put the strands in order. All the strands should be to the left side of the two base strings.

5. Starting with step one: pick one string from the left at a time and make two forward knots, picture 5 (by making number ‘4’ shape for forward knots). Again make two forward knots in the second base string, picture 6, (settle them to your right side).

6. Repeat knotting on all the strands and settle them next to one another to the right side, picture 7. Don’t pull them hard, keep your grip firm not too lose, not too tight.

7. When all the strings from the left are done, it’s time to start the backward knots (step two).

8. For backward knots you will start from the last string you made forward knots on, but this time you will reverse the number ‘4’ shape as in picture 8 (it will now have four knots as you are reversing which is just fine).

9. Make two knots to one base string and then to the second, picture 9. Repeat on all the strings and settle them to your left, picture 10.

10.  Keep repeating the two steps. Making sure you are repeat the strands in same order in both steps so the colours will have the same pattern throughout, picture 11 and 12.

11.  When you reach the desired length of your bracelet (usually 6-7 inches) stop making knots and lock them all by a tight simple knot and tie a button, picture 13, 14.

Voila! Your wavy rainbow bracelet is ready to be worn!

Published in Dawn, Young World March 4th, 2017