The Four Knots of Micro Macrame or Friendship Bracelets

When I first starting knotting, I found it very difficult to get my knots to look good. Unless you were born to knot, you will take some time to get really good results. It takes practice... a lot of it... but if you enjoy knotting, you won't mind. I didn't - I don't! I am always practicing.

I wanted to get good, so I went searching for every tutorial I could find. No one can tell you how to make a good knot. I cannot stress it enough. It takes trial and error... wasting a ton of string or other media.. it is going to happen. At one point, I'm sure more floss went into the trash than into a final piece.

Don't over complicate! You have been making knots your entire life. You are already an expert!

As we know, there are two styles of hand knotting.  There are "Normal" patterns, and "Alpha" or "alphabet" patterns.  Normal patterns, which we will be learning shortly, uses 4 types of knots. The forward knot, backward knot, backward-forward knot, and forward-backward knot. The alpha patterns only use two knots, the forward and the backward knots.

Before you can start, you should be able to read the knotting symbols. This will help you understand and follow the patterns.

1. Forward Knot

2. Backward Knot

3. Backward-Forward Knot

4. Forward-Backward Knot

Above is my trusty note card. You are welcome to print or copy it for your personal use. 

Beginning Knot Tying Tips:

• As you can see from my sketch - each knot is actually made up of (2) two knots. If you don't make two knots... you will not achieve the results you are looking for. 

• Think of it as though the first knot is the lock, but the second knot is the chain! It is locking the knot in place.

• Start practicing the four knots and learning how to read the knotting symbols and patterns. Check out BraceletBook.com and Friendship-Bracelets.net to see tons of examples of patterns. 

• Great starter patterns include the candy stripe, and the chevron. I will go into detail on all of this in future posts. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch.