How about making some wearable art while doing something good for the environment? Hemp is a fiber that is made from the cannabis plant. Fast growing and sustainable, hemp is a wonderful choice for making jewellery at home. Who doesn’t love experimenting with fun macrame techniques? The term macramé refers to the practice of creating an item by using a number of different decorative knots. The square knot and the double half hitch are two of the most popular macramé knots used to create hemp jewellery designs. By allowing the fibers of the twine to slowly merge together, you'll create a smoother texture for your hemp. Making hemp jewellery is a fun and easy way to create a one-of-a-kind fashion accessory.
Materials required:
Hemp
Twine
Scissors
To make hemp jewellery, you first need to select some hemp twine. Although hemp now comes in many colors, the signature “natural tan” color is still the most popular.
Optional materials and tools required:
beads with large holes and/or charms
metal clasp and cord tips
jewellery pliers to attach metal cord tips & clasp
Safety pin for a way to hold the necklace in place while you create it
When you make hemp jewellery, you are most likely to use macrame techniques of knotting or braiding to make a thicker cord. If you have very sensitive skin, or you simply dislike the "scratchy" feel of hemp jewellery, try briefly soaking your twine in water before beginning your project. If you’ve never tried making hemp jewellery, now is the time to start. Refine your skills by learning this easy-to-follow tutorial and know in-depth the basics of creating multiple hemp jewellery.
This guide will teach you the most common knotting technique that is used to make hemp jewellery. Follow the photographed steps in this tutorial to make things easy.
1) To measure how much hemp you will need for a base strand, wrap the end of a strand around your neck (or wrist, for bracelets). Cut the strand on the other side of the neck where it meets and add couple of inches extra for good measure. Then double it over so you have two strands that make a loop in the centre. Your base to tie the hemp knots around will be ready. The length can vary depending on any beads you may add – if you use a lot of large beads you will need less hemp because you will be making fewer knots.
2) Pull the newly cut strand taunt and don’t cut it instead measure out another length of hemp next to it. Double the strand over and over again until you have 8 or 9 doubled strands. After that cut the hemp at the end so that when you pull the strand taunt you will have one long piece of hemp. This will be your knotting hemp.
3) Secure the base loop to something sturdy like on your jeans using a safety pin. Some people use clips of some kind and a book or board, or a specially designed macrame jewellery tool. This will allow the process go faster and to free hands movements for looping and pulling. But it is optional as I mentioned above.
4) Fold the base strand in half. The loop created will be part of the necklace’s “clasp”. Now fold the long strand in half and wrap its loop around the base strand's loop.
Cross the right-side piece of the long strand over the base strand, then under the left- side piece of long strand.
5) With the right-side strand still underneath the left-side strand, wrap the left-side strand behind the base strand.
Pull the left-side strand (now behind the base) up through the right-side's loop that is resting against the base.
6) Grip each strand, both of which should be on the opposite sides of the base from where they started, and pull the knot tight.
Don’t forget to push the first knot up the center of the base strand until the base strand's loop is the size you want for fitting an ending knot through.
7) Once you have pulled the knot tight, take the left-side strand and cross it back over the base strand.
Wrap the right-side strand over the crossed left-side strand and then behind the base strand.
8) Pull the right-side strand (now wrapped behind the base strand) through the left-side's loop. Then pull the strands taunt to create another square knot.
Repeat this process for the length of the base strand or until the necklace is the length you want it.
Always start the steps over on the opposite side from which you started i.e. the strand that is already behind a loop is the strand with which you will start a new knot.
Your necklace should start to look like the last pic here.
9) Once you've reached the length you wanted, tie all four strands into a simple knot. This knot will be pulled through the base loop to serve as the necklace's clasp system. And then you're done.
10) As you become familiar with the weaving process of creating these unique bracelets, you can kick things up a notch by experimenting with new designs and adding colourful accessories such as beads or buttons. So finish your hemp jewellery with these several options for clasps.
As you have enough hemp to twist or braid the ends, tie them together. This is the easiest and simplest way to finish.
When you finish, tie a large bead, button, or knot at the other end. When you stick the bead through the loop, it will catch and hold. When selecting beads, you want to make sure they have large holes, so your hemp twine can go through them.
You can use a regular clasp if you finish the ends of your hemp piece with metal or wire cord tips. These go over the ends of cord, leather thong, or in this case, hemp. There are two types, one has metal flaps that bend over the cord and the other has a coil, the bottom of which you crimp around your cord. Then use jump rings to add a standard clasp.
With these simple steps you can make your own DIY hemp jewellery. The end result will look so chic that no one will believe you made it yourself. If you are still confused then watch this video below to have closer look.
The two basic knots :
Most hemp jewellery is made up of two basic knots- Twist knot and Flat Knot. These knots are the reverse of each other.
If you alternate these two knots one after the other, you will get a flat pattern same as illustrated above. If you repeat just one of the knots (either one) over and over again, you will get a spiral pattern that looks like a double-helix known as Twist knot.
No matter how rough, any hemp will soften with washing. If you want your hemp jewellery piece to stay stiff like when you made it, try not to take a shower with it. On the other hand, some people like a softer, more worn-in look that can be achieved with washing.
With this great tutorial, you’ll be able to design a new bracelet with beads for every day of the week so watch the video now.
You can bring this craft with you anywhere. Whether you’re travelling, leaving for office or headed out of town, put some hemp twine in your bag and bring your creativity to work or during breaks or when time allows. These hemp jewellery is effortless to make and effortless to wear. With some time and practice, you can make a hemp matching friendship bracelets for you and your best friend, add colourful beads for a bold accessory, or experiment with fun weaving techniques.
Isn’t this an easy and affordable craft suitable for all ages? Have you ever tried making hemp bracelet, necklace, ring or even earrings or are you going to make one in future to gift someone?
Then don’t forget to tag us. Use the hashtag #himalayanhemp so we don’t miss to see your creativity. We at Himalayan Hemp Organisation are working to find every possible use of Hemp plant. You can also join in our journey. Have a look around the website and feel free to contact us.
- Himalayan Hemp
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