Knot by Knot, Bit by Bit

Gettin' Knotty {cross-posted from VeRajArt}

2015-01-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

I've been working with macrame - knots, mainly - for over two years. I first learned macrame in high school and revisited it to work with Bit by Bit.

I'm fortunate that I am now going to be able to make bracelets for Freedom's Song Wolf Rescue, as Knot By Knot Etc.

Here's a photo of what the bracelets look like

I'm excited to be once again working alongside a nonprofit to make and sell items for their benefit.

How much would you pay for this bracelet?

New Bracelets, New Listings

2013-06-05T06:55:00.002-07:00

I recently got in an order for a lot of fun stuff, including some gorgeous rainbow satin. I've made a few different things with it so far, and here are some pictures and the links to the listings on Etsy.

These two are the "DNA switch" style.

I'm asking $6 for these with the clasp, but it's $5 for an adjustable hand-knotted clasp instead.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153163491/twisted-dna-strand-knottedbraided

These are the C (cobra) style.

They are only $4 each and fun to stack!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153156144/handmade-knottedbraided-bright-neon

Measurements

2013-05-24T09:20:00.002-07:00

This is a great post about how to measure your wrist.

http://tiedinknotz.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-accurately-measure-your-wrist.html

I find that there are a few challenges in getting the wrist size of a paracord bracelet just right.
1) Paracord is a little bit stretchy and bracelets do shrink slightly once they've gotten wet (in my experience this is true even with "pre-shrunken" paracord).
2) Different styles of knots make bracelets of different thicknesses. I try to follow the above linked blogger's instructions for properly sizing a bracelet, which includes measuring the depth of the knots.
3) Weather can affect wrist size, and so can bloating!
3) Different people measure their wrists differently. If I could equip everyone with a tailor's tape, I would!

Hopefully these instructions help out a bit next time you want to order a bracelet.

Remember, when you're ordering from me, I want your actual measurement, not what you perceive would be comfortable based on your wrist size. Take the piece of paper or tailor's tape and wrap it around tightly (not tight enough to cut off circulation, mind you) to get an accurate measurement.

Thank you! I hope this helps!

An Original Display

2013-05-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the volunteer appreciation picnic on Sunday, I sought ways to display my business cards. I found my answer on the floor: a flap of a cardboard box that I had cut off to make my light box. I folded it into the perfect shape and used Elmer's Glue-All, which is non-toxic if not eco-friendly, to hold it in place. It worked surprisingly well. To hide its innate cardboard-iness, I covered it with kraft paper, which is the color of cardboard, and glued that on, as well. To finish it up I took an old bracelet, one of my originals that I was selling during the Pumpkin Patch (or, in the case of this particular bracelet, not selling) and wrapped it around the front of my new business card holder.

Here ya go:

Also, because I hadn't posted this here before, my new business cards:

2013-05-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I decided to work on a project just for fun, with the result hopefully being something I could give someone as a gift. I've worked with a square-knot switch before, and this is a variation of that. I found this particular pattern here. I found it easier to use a small binder clip to measure "a thumb's width" than my actual thumb.

Pictures!

What do you think?

Love-Locked

2013-04-22T08:43:00.001-07:00

After mentioning this in the last post, I realized I never really updated about the kids' bracelets. (By "the kids" I mean my younger brothers and sisters.) I haven't seen them in 3 years (they live in Ireland) and it's really hard being away from them and missing them growing up. I made these bracelets for them and had the chance to ship them quickly while they were in the states. Unfortunately I didn't get to see them at that time, but I did enjoy making them something.

And here's my favorite:

Wild Heart Ranch

2013-04-22T08:38:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine recently asked me to help out another local non-profit, Wild Heart Ranch, which rescues and rehabilitates wild animals.
I was glad for the opportunity to make my Love-Locked style paracord bracelets and get them some exposure. If you notice, you can just flip a bracelet upside down to achieve a different dominant look, and make it appear as though the hearts are different colors.

Here are some photos of what I've made so far:

There are so many materials I still want/need. I want to make my oldest sister a Love-Locked bracelet to match the ones I made the other kids, but I can't even find the right colors for her, let alone come up with the money to order them.

Anyway, enjoy and have a great day!

Pictures of New Styles and a New Etsy Store!

2013-04-12T09:47:00.001-07:00

Hello there! Last night/early this morning I finished making my Etsy store and listed my first item!

The link is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnotByKnot12

Also, I'm posting some pictures of some new styles that I haven't shown here yet.

Enjoy!

Shown both with flash (above) and without flash (below).

My new "Love-Locked" series of paracord with hearts (and my messy desk space).

Love-Locked in Pink and Blue

Love-Locked in Purple and Rainbow (Pride!) with flash (above) and no flash (below).

My unique creation of 12 braided strands (3 different braids altogether).

Autism Awareness Month

2013-04-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

For the month of April, in the spirit of Autism Awareness, I am creating a variety of bracelets made with the colors of the Autism symbol, and I’ll be posting some photos of them here, as well.

If you would like more information on Autism, please check out:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day
and
http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/

The colors represent the different puzzle pieces featured in the ribbon logo and the slogan is "Until all the pieces fit."

Also, please check out my Facebook page @: http://facebook.com/KnotbyKnot for more information, to contact me, or to place an order.

Mission Statement

2012-10-20T15:26:00.001-07:00

My mission is to provide high quality and USA-made products dedicated to Bit by Bit's cause while furthering awareness of people with *special needs*.

I believe paracord is a very handy tool to have around - especially when it puts disabled veterans to work (ie. Our School Spirit paracord) - and that it is equally important that people who are non-verbal wear medical ID bracelets.

In the case of any unforeseen emergency, preparedness is a weapon and a tool.
If a non-verbal child with autism is in an any kind of accident, including wandering off alone, a medical ID bracelet can save his/her life.

Paracord + Medical ID. Non-profit + Employing American Heroes.

Wednesday

2012-10-10T18:38:00.002-07:00

I had a great day at the Pumpkin Patch today. So far I've only sold two bracelets (one to Stephanie) but I'm not discouraged!

This Just In: Paracord

2012-10-04T16:27:00.001-07:00

I very recently received my order of paracord and buckles and so have been making some more bracelets out of it. This bracelet was made with the Strawberry Fields color of Our School Spirit paracord, made in the US by a company owned by a veteran.
[The link is to the actual website. If you'd rather visit the selection on Amazon, the link is here.]

More pics of the other color options coming soon!

Massive Picture Compilation

2012-10-03T16:41:00.003-07:00

In most of these pictures you will see a thick cord used (approx. 4mm, I think) called Bonnie Craft Cord, made out of polyolefin in the US.

My next set of pictures will probably show works done in paracord, a nylon thread originally used by US paratroopers during WW2. The kind I have purchased has been made by a company called Our School Spirit, which is owned by a military veteran and was also produced in the US.

Red and White (Bit by Bit color scheme) bracelet in progress

My workspace with red and white bracelets in progress

Bracelet in progress

A finished bracelet

Red and white keychain fob in progress

Red and white keychain fob in progress, continued

Brown and tan keychain fob in progress

Brown and tan keychain fob finished

Brown and tan hemp keychain fob finished

Brown and tan bookmark in progress

Two bookmarks

My kitty admiring my new bracelet

The wall o' knots

Red and white "DNA strand" knots

Introduction

2012-10-02T08:03:00.004-07:00

This blog will detail my knotty crafts[wo]manship and my progress at creating macrame accessories to raise funds for Bit by Bit. Bit by Bit is a local non-profit that provides therapeutic riding for those with special needs. They do a lot of pro-bono work and offer very low rates, keeping in mind the high medical costs associated with special needs treatments.
I volunteer at Bit by Bit and will be spending the next month (October 2012) assisting them with their Pumpkin Patch.
I am creating several different accessories, including bracelets, key fobs, and bookmarks, using eco-friendly materials and USA-made paracord. I will also be adding a medical ID line soon (mostly custom, due to prohibitive costs.)
I will probably be updating this blog with pictures of my completed work and progress of sales.