Button Ring

Supplies Needed:

• Hemp, Nylon, Leather or Waxed Linen (0.5mm to 1mm diameter)
• 8mm Focal Bead or Shank Button with a flat design
• Project Board, pins, and tape

Knots Used:

• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Double Half Hitch (DHH)
• Square Knot (SK)
• Mirror Square Knot (MSK)

Cut 8 strands of material, each at least 25 inches long. 

Prepare the ends by applying glue to the tips.  Allow it to dry completely.

Creating the first half of the Band

Step 1:  Arrange the strands so they are resting vertically in front of you.  Make sure they are not crossed.  Mentally number the strands 1 thru 8. Tie a Square Knot using cords 1, 2 and 7, 8 as working cords. Two strands should work together as if they were 1 cord. The SK should be placed approximately 5 inches from one end.

Step 2:  Divide the strands into 2 groups of 4.  Moving left to right, tie the first Mirror Square Knot with cords 1 thru 4.  Then tie a regular Square Knot with cords 5 thru 8. This causes the heads of the knots to face each other, resulting in loops along the edges of the design.

Tip: To modify this portion of the Button Ring, you can tie the MSK with 5 thru 8 instead.  The “heads” of the knots will face outward, away from each other.  If you prefer a totally different look, consider using a Half Hitch Pattern, or other decorative knot.

Step 3:  Just below, tie an SK with cords 3 thru 6.

Step 4:  Repeat steps 2 and 3, at least three to six times, until the ASK design is approximately ½ the size of your finger.  End with a row containing only 1 knot.

Designing the Central section

Step 5:  Arrange the cords so they are side by side again.  Take cord 4 and direct it diagonally, towards the left of the Button Ring design.  Secure it so it is taut. 

Tip:  When working with fine cords, I like to use T-Pins.  Wrap the end around it several times.  Apply a piece of tape to the pin to secure it.

Step 6: Attach cord 3 to the holding cord with DHH.  Do the same with strand 2, and number 1.

Step 7:  Take cord number 5 and direct it diagonally towards the right.  Secure it so it is taut.  Attach cords 6 thru 8 to it with DHH.

Tip:  You can omit the next step to make the diamond design smaller. For more information, see Diamonds.

Step 8:  Mentally re-number the cords 1 thru 8.  The holding cords will be 4 and 5 again.  Holding Cord 4 should be directed towards the right, crossing cord 5. 

Attach cords 6 thru 8 to it with DHH.

Step 9:  Holding Cord 5 should be directed to the left.  Attach cords 3, 2, and 1 to it with DHH.

Tip:  Do you want to make a Chevron design for the Button Ring?  Simply repeat steps 8 and 9 one more time.

Step 10:  Mentally re-number again. Slide the Button or Bead onto strands 4 and 5.

Step 11: Now you will reverse the process to complete the central section. 

The holding cords will always be number 1 and 8.  Make the same number of rows as you did on the other side of the bead or button. Attach the strands to the holding cords with DHH.

Making the Second Half of the Band

Step 12:  Tie 1 SK using cords 3 thru 6 (this mimics where you ended up in step four). 

Step 13: Tie the same number of rows of ASK as you did for the first part of the band.  End with a row containing 2 knots.

Step 14:  Tie one SK with 4 working cords and 4 fillers, as you did in step 1.

Finishing Touches

Step 15:  Measure the Button Ring design around your finger.  It should be loose enough to slide on and off easily.  It doesn’t need to be tight like a metal ring, because the cord material holds to your skin better.  If the band is too tight, make additional rows of knots at both ends.

Step 16:  Fold the ring so it is inside out.  You want the finishing knots to end up on the inside.  Secure it to your board, so the ends all dangle in the same direction.