Mastering Macrame: Craft Your Own Bohemian Geometric Bracelet

There’s a unique charm in handmade accessories, especially when they tell a story of intricate artistry and vibrant design. The beautiful geometric macrame bracelet seen here is a perfect example of how simple knots can come together to create a stunning, wearable piece of art. If you’ve ever admired the detailed patterns of bohemian jewelry, you’re in the right place!

Unleash Your Inner Artisan: Crafting Bohemian Bracelets

Macrame, the art of knotting cords, is a wonderfully meditative and rewarding craft. This guide will help you embark on your journey to create a bracelet with a captivating diamond and square pattern, using a blend of earthy and vibrant tones. Get ready to transform simple cords into a statement accessory that’s uniquely yours or a thoughtful gift for a friend.

Pattern Here

Materials You’ll Need:

Macrame cord: Approximately 1mm thick, in the following colors for a similar look:
Base/Carrier Cords: Approximately 2-3 yards of olive green or dark brown.
Working Cords (for pattern): Approximately 1-2 yards each of teal, burnt orange, off-white, and black.
Sharp scissors
Measuring tape
Macrame board or clipboard with a clip to secure your work
T-pins (optional, for holding cords in place)
Small brass or wooden beads (for adjustable ends, optional)

Key Macrame Knots:

For this geometric pattern, the primary knot you’ll be mastering is the Square Knot (SK). A square knot is made of two half-knots. You’ll alternate between a left-facing half-knot and a right-facing half-knot to create a flat, secure knot.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Bracelet

Cut Your Cords: You’ll typically need 2-4 carrier cords (the stationary ones) and multiple working cords (the ones you tie knots with). For a wide bracelet like the one pictured, you might use 2-4 central carrier cords, and then multiple working cords of different colors.
Attach Cords: Fold your carrier cords in half and secure them to your macrame board or clip. These will run down the center of your bracelet.
Add Working Cords: Attach your various colored working cords (teal, orange, white, black) to the carrier cords using a Lark’s Head Knot. Strategically place them according to how you want your pattern to flow. For this pattern, imagine a grid, with different colors acting as the “fill” for each square or diamond.

Creating the Geometric Pattern:

The intricate look of this bracelet comes from carefully planned color changes and the repetition of square knots to form a grid. Here’s a conceptual guide:

Base Grid: Begin by tying rows of square knots using your primary working cords. This forms the foundation of your bracelet’s width and shape.
Introducing Colors for Shapes: To create the distinct squares and diamond-like shapes (like the orange and teal motifs), you’ll switch which working cords are actively tying knots. For example, to create an orange square, use the orange cords to tie square knots around two central carrier cords, or even around other working cords that are temporarily acting as carriers.
Outlining with Black: The black cord is used as an accent and outline. You can create rows or individual square knots with the black cord to define the edges of your colored shapes, giving them that sharp, defined look seen in the image. Think of it as drawing lines with your knots.
Alternating Pattern: The image shows an alternating pattern of colored squares/diamonds. This means you’ll consistently repeat a sequence of knots and color changes across your rows to achieve uniformity and the desired visual flow. Practice making small blocks of color and then outlining them.
“Holes” or Open Spaces: The open spaces within the colored motifs are often created by simply not tying knots with certain cords, or by using Half Hitch knots to create diagonal lines, leaving the central area open, or by strategically tying only the outer parts of a square knot. For the specific “hole” in the center of the colored squares, you would tie square knots with four cords, leaving a central pair of cords untied or tying loosely around them to create the void.
Consistency is Key: Maintain consistent tension throughout your knotting to ensure the pattern remains even and the bracelet lies flat.

Finishing Your Bracelet:

Tapering: Once your bracelet reaches the desired length, you’ll need to taper off the working cords. You can do this by tying square knots around the carrier cords until the working cords run out, or by weaving them back into the bracelet with a needle and trimming excess.
Adjustable Closure: For the adjustable tie ends, gather your carrier cords (or a new set of strong cords) and tie a series of square knots around them using a separate piece of cord, forming a sliding knot closure. Add beads to the ends of the original carrier cords and tie off to prevent fraying.

Crafting a macrame bracelet like this is a journey of patience and creativity. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect; each knot is a step towards mastering this beautiful art. Happy knotting!