Macrame Friendship Bracelet Helper

Intro: Macrame Friendship Bracelet Helper

No more tape on the end of your friendship bracelets and macrame projects! Put together this simple tool for holding the end of your threads and you'll always be comfortable while braiding. You can use this for simple friendship bracelets, complex macrame, or beading projects.

STEP 1: Materials

drill with a drill bit that matches your bolt and one that's larger than your bolt

bolt

2 nuts

3 washers with narrow holes that still fit your bolt (I ended up using the rubber washers because the holes in the metal ones were too large.)

1 wing nut (My wing nut didn't fit the bolt, so I had to use another nut for the top in a lot of the images until I got a wing nut that fit. The wing nut makes it a lot easier to tighten.)

wood block (Make sure it's either heavy or long. If it's long, you can have it push up against your stomach while braiding. If it's heavy, it will weigh itself down while you work.)

STEP 2: Drill

Drill a hole in the end of your wood block that will fit your bolt.

With a larger drill bit, drill into the hole you've already created to countersink the bolt. Because my bolt was relatively short, I countersunk it about half way into the board. If your bolt is longer, you just need to countersink enough to get the head of the bolt into the board and create a flat bottom.

STEP 3: Assemble

Add a washer and nut to your bolt.

Then, add another nut, two more washers, and your wing nut on top.

STEP 4: Thread

Tie a knot in the end of your threads.

Tighten the washers onto the end of your threads with the knot on the outside edge.

STEP 5: Braid

Begin your macrame.

When you get to a point where it's too long, wrap the braided edge around the bolt and retighten.

Continue braiding.

STEP 6: Have Fun!

When you're done, simply remove your bracelet from the helper and tie it on a friend.

Comments

[alloydog]

Neat! However, when I saw the drill, I thought you'd done it the same way as me: Take two or more long pieces of thread or wire.

Attach them to the olt in the wood (I use a door handle), then put the other ends in the jaws of the drill and tighten.

Start the drill so that the threads/wires are twisted tightly together.

Hold the now twisted cord in the midlle and, keeping the cord tight, move the drill end to the fixed end of the cord.

Carefully let go of the middle of the cord and the cord will try to unravel. However, as each half will go in opposite directions, they will wrap aroun each other.

Fix each end with a knot.

[FawnG]

Can you please send a photo, post one please

[alloydog]

Ooops, forgot about this...

[Brooklyntonia]

I'm not quite sure what you're describing. Perhaps you should make an instructable for it! ; )

[alloydog]

Sorry, I haven't ignored this, I will try and write up something shortly...

[Kozmicblues69]

Nice idea! It's difficult to make bracelet all alone... I really hate wasting tape trying to keep the threats on the table! For non-macrame bracelets I use a safety pin. I attach it on my jeans or on a pillow... Not bad but not perfect... Thanks for sharing this! I must make one! :)

[Brooklyntonia]

My friends and I would always loop it around our big toe. Works fine at 10 years old, but not so comfortable anymore.

[Kozmicblues69]

Yes! I still do the big toe's technique the day I want to make some bracelets on the beach :p But it's a little bit hard... I only can make one. I'm too old! :p

[Brooklyntonia]

I know exactly how you feel. ; ) With this tool, the beach is the only place you'll have to resort to the toe.