Wednesday 1 April 2020

Tied in knots

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

Ages ago I bought a load of waxed cotton with the intention of combining it with my beads to make bracelets. The cotton got put in a box under my desk and forgotten about.

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

The other week when Chris and I were tidying up to prepare for him working from home, I rediscovered the box of cotton and remembered my plan and finally I have made some macramé bracelets!

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

I used to make those friendship bracelet things when I was a teenager, you know the ones made out of embroidery thread and a million tiny knots, so I'm not unfamiliar with the whole knotting thing.

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

I wanted to keep these bracelets simple; plain beads and basic macramé knots. I wanted them to be for everyday wear, so nothing fussy.

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

After a bit of faffing to work out how many beads worked best, how many knots in between them gave a balanced look, and getting the beads and the knots to sit as neatly as possible, I decided on this design as my basic macramé and lampwork bracelet.

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

The bracelets fit a medium 6–6.5 inch wrist but because of the sliding macramé fastening they can be adjusted for a larger wrist, or for a looser fit.

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

I wore the prototype bracelet all day yesterday and it's ever so comfortable.

Handmade macramé bracelet with lampwork beads by Laura Sparling

I've written notes for potential different designs that will incorporate more beads, in more than one colour, and also ones with fewer beads – possibly slightly larger, decorated ones – so yeah, prepare for more knottiness!