$1911

was donated
Getting rid of pattern number by rontel 6 years ago

Hey guys, does any of you make bracelets without looking at the pattern number (spontaneously)? How is that possible? I already know that the first hitch determines the color and the second hitch determines the order of the strings for the next row. But is there any other basic rules to be able to knot without pattern number??

RE: Getting rid of pattern number by EdBlair 6 years ago

Creating even a slightly complicated bracelet design without using some sort of reference (i.e. a pattern) is difficult for most people. I sometimes add small sections or elements to an existing pattern (like for example adding a border along the edge), but almost never try to make a whole bracelet without either an existing pattern, or at least drawing a sketch on a piece of paper.

To develop this skill I would recommend the following:
1) Practice making bracelets.
2) Read the tutorial (( How to... )) Design Bracelet Patterns for some tips on how patterns are created.
3) Study the existing patterns carefully. Find a pattern that does something you find interesting and trace the strings to see how it was accomplished.

If your intention is to make repeating patterns, like most of the ones on this site, you basically will have to memorize the entire pattern and be able to remember where you are in the pattern as you tie the bracelet.
One thing that can make many of the bracelets easier is when the left and right edges are symmetrical (mirror image). This means you only need to memorize half of the knots in each row.
There are a few patterns so simple that it is not hard to memorize the pattern: Candystripe #1, Cheveron #2, Zig-zag #10, Plaid or Ragrug #7686.
The knots of the Plaid pattern consist of an entire row of forward knots, followed by an entire row of backward knots.

Your other option is to introduce random, unpredictable, elements while you tie your bracelet. These tend to happen anyway, but usually not intentionally and referencing a pattern will identify them when they occur. If you intentionally adding random elements, you can not always predict whether the result will be interesting.

RE: Getting rid of pattern number by rontel 6 years ago

Ah okaaay, I really need to practice more. I just saw a bracelet maker who knotted without looking at a pattern and the pattern he was knotting was very complicated. It's >30 strings and not quite a repeating pattern (probably his original pattern). However, he probably had made a lot of bracelets of same pattern that he already memorized it. Yet, when I see that video I was like "cool, he's painting with threads".

Btw, thank you for the feedback. I think I really need to make more bracelets and design my own patterns as well to develop that skill.

RE: Getting rid of pattern number by Allison98 6 years ago

Wow! If you do a pattern (especially a repeating pattern) long enough, it gets easier. :) I usually have the pattern printed, but with some patterns- like Celtic ones- I find that the pattern starts to come naturally as I'm knotting. It's kind-of hard to explain. But for greater than 30 strings without looking at a pattern is a bit more difficult!

RE: Getting rid of pattern number by kleinevos (moderator) 6 years ago

I think rontel means improvising while knotting, instead of using a pre-made pattern ;-)
Of course that's possible! Just go with the flow :-) There's no basic rule other than the 'knot two strings together'. It probably does help if you have some basic shapes in mind, a bit of experience might help to achieve the effect you're looking for, but it's not a must at all.

RE: Getting rid of pattern number by rontel 6 years ago

thanks all! I've just tried to make a bracelet spontaneously last night. I had a design on my mind but when I finished knotting, it turned out as a mess. I untied numerous times. But the result is not even symmetrical though I meant it to be symmetrical. I don't even know if that "pattern" is appropriate to be called as a pattern. Lol.

RE: Getting rid of pattern number by Allison98 6 years ago

That's why having a pattern is good. :) It'd be interesting to spontaneously do one though!

Advertisement


You must login to reply to this thread!