Chloe Zhang
Tying knots with plastic string can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to creating jewellery such as bracelets. The type of knot used is crucial to ensure the jewellery's durability and security. One common type of knot used with plastic string is the surgeon's knot, which is often used for stretch bracelets. To tie this knot, one must pre-stretch the elastic, cross the ends, and then wrap the front cord over the back cord to form a half knot. Another popular knot is the square knot, which involves an over-under and under-over technique. When tying knots with plastic string, it is essential to pull the knots tightly and consider using additional securing methods such as glue or nail polish to prevent slipping and ensure the knot's strength.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of knot | Surgeon's knot, square knot, double overhand knot |
| Type of string | Stretch Magic beading elastic, monofilament fishing line, fabric-covered string, bracelet cord |
| String preparation | Pre-stretch the string to loosen it, especially if it has a narrow diameter |
| Knot preparation | Tie the first knot around a sewing needle to ensure precision, then remove the needle |
| Number of knots | At least two, with one source recommending three or four |
| Additional materials | Cement glue, clear nail polish, hot glue, super glue |
| Additional tips | Pull the knot tight in all directions, use larger diameter beading elastic to minimise abrasion |
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What You'll Learn
Surgeon's knot for elastic bracelets
A surgeon's knot is a simple and easy way to tie a stretchy bracelet. It is perfect for slippery materials such as elastic cords. It is also a good option for adding new threads to bead weaving projects.
To tie a surgeon's knot, start by cutting a 12" (30 cm) piece of Stretch Magic. Pre-stretch the elastic by pulling on both ends to loosen it up and prevent it from stretching and distorting your bracelet design. Thread your chosen beads onto the elastic cord.
Now, bring the ends of the cord together, crossing one end over the other. Wrap the front cord over the back cord and bring it back to the front to form a half knot. This first half knot will hold your beads in place. Form the two cord ends into a circle, with one end crossing in front of the other.
To complete the second half of the knot, wrap the front cord over and around the back cord one more time. Pull each side of the cord simultaneously to tighten the knot. You can also apply jewellery glue to make the knot more secure.
The double twist created by wrapping the cord around itself twice is what gives the surgeon's knot its security, making it ideal for elastic bracelets.
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Using glue to secure knots
While it is possible to use glue to secure knots tied with plastic string, it is not recommended for use on ropes. The use of glue depends on the purpose of the knot and the type of plastic string used. For instance, when creating jewellery with elastic plastic string, glue can be used to secure knots. However, for activities like rope access, it is not advisable to use glue to secure knots as it can compromise the integrity of the rope.
If you are using glue to secure knots for jewellery making, it is recommended to use cement glue, which is designed for precision application. It has a fine nozzle, making it easy to apply small amounts to intricate work. This type of glue can be used to add strength to your elastic knots. It is important to avoid using super glue, as it can corrode and damage the elastic over time due to its tendency to become brittle.
When working with elastic plastic string, it is crucial to follow specific steps to ensure your knots are secure. Firstly, pre-stretch your elastic cord to loosen it before stringing your beads. This helps maintain the size of your design and prevents it from stretching and distorting. After creating your desired design, you can start tying your knots. A simple overhand knot or a double overhand knot is recommended to ensure your design is secure.
To tie a simple overhand knot, cross the strands of your elastic cord and fold one end under the other to create a loose knot. Then, cross the strands again and repeat the process to double up your knot. At this point, you can add more overhand knots as needed, especially if your design is heavy. Remember to be mindful of the overall size of the knot in relation to your design. Once you are satisfied with your knots, you can apply a small amount of cement glue to add strength and leave it to dry before wearing your jewellery.
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Square knots
Tying a square knot is a simple process. It is also known as a reef knot and is often the first knot that people learn when tying shoelaces. It is a good knot for securing non-critical items, but it is not suitable for joining two ropes together.
To tie a square knot, hold an end of the rope in each hand. Then, pass the right end over and under the rope in your left hand. Next, pass the rope end now in your left hand over and under the one now in your right. Finally, tighten the knot by pulling both ends simultaneously. It is important to note that the square knot works best when pressed against something else and the ropes are of the same diameter. It should not be used to secure heavy loads.
The square knot has many uses, including securing bandages and packages. It is also one of the knots used in macrame. It is a good knot to learn as it teaches the fundamental process of tying a half knot or half hitch.
When tying a square knot, it is important to avoid tying a granny knot, which is commonly tied in error. The square knot can also be tied using bights (loops), which can be useful for using up long shoelaces and creating a secure knot.
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Overhand knot
The overhand knot is a simple yet very secure knot. It is one of the few stopper knots that can be tied tightly against an object or another knot. It can be used to prevent a rope from passing back through a hole or opening.
To tie an overhand knot with plastic string, start by forming a loop at the end of the string. Simply lay one end of the string over the rest of it to form a basic round loop. The bottom of the loop will be roughly where the knot will be located.
Next, tuck the end of the string through the loop, keeping the loop intact. You should now have a simple cross-over and a small loop.
Finally, grab the end of the string and a section of the string above your loop with your opposite hands and pull your hands apart to tighten the knot.
You can also tie a double overhand knot, which is simply a thicker stopper knot. This can be used to keep the string from passing through large openings or holes. To tie a double overhand knot, repeat the steps above, but loop the end of the string through the original loop multiple times to increase the size of the stopper.
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Carrick bend
The Carrick Bend is a powerful knot used to join two heavy ropes, hawsers, or cables that are tough to bend. It is commonly used in boating for securing heavy loads or mooring lines. It is also used to make decorative items like mats, wall hangings, rope trivets, and coasters.
The Carrick Bend is known for its reliability and ease of untying, even after heavy strain. Its interwoven structure distributes stress evenly, and it holds strong under heavy loads when properly tightened. It is important that the tails lie diagonally opposite each other; if tied incorrectly, the knot can gradually work itself towards the tails and become undone.
To tie the Carrick Bend:
- Cross the two ropes to form an X. The ropes should pass over and under each other alternately for a total of eight crossings.
- Ensure that the tails are lying diagonally opposite each other, not on the same side of the knot.
- Pull tight to form a secure, symmetrical weave.
For added security, tie stopper knots (e.g., Overhand Knot) on both tag ends to prevent slipping under dynamic loads. Practice tying this knot in low-stakes settings first, as it is slightly awkward to assemble and easy to make a mistake.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try the Surgeon's Knot, a simple and inexpensive way to make stretch bracelets. Cut a 12" (30cm) piece of Stretch Magic, pre-stretch the elastic, and string your chosen beads. Bring the ends together, crossing one cord over the other. Wrap the front cord over the back cord and bring it to the front to form a half knot. Form another half knot by wrapping the front cord over the back cord.
To make your knots more secure, pull them as tight as possible. You can also use cement glue, clear nail polish, or hot glue to strengthen the knot.
It is recommended to select the largest diameter beading elastic that will fit through your beads comfortably. This will minimise abrasion from the beads against the elastic and prolong the life of your bracelet.
You can try a simple overhand knot or a double overhand knot. You can also try a water knot, carrick bend, or fisherman’s bend.
