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Natural Sandals

Description: These Natural Sandals feature the use of the Buttonhole Stitch to surround the beads and create the strap.

Barefoot Sandals, also called Foot Jewelry, have become very popular in recent years. By using Hemp or Cotton, and adding wood beads, this Micro-Macrame design will be a very interesting way to decorate your feet.

The technique used for the striped portion is similar to the Hemp Bracelet, if you would like to make a matching set.

This Macrame pattern is rated Easy, but make sure you practice the knots before you get started.

Toe Loop: Placed around the second toe.

Buttonhole Design: Passes over the top of the foot. Has striped areas between the loops.

Straps: Fit around the ankle (colors alternate)

Clasp: Made with a bead (adjustable).

Supplies Needed:

1mm Hemp or Cotton Cord in light and dark colors

8mm Wood beads (13) with 5mm size holes

Project Board, pins, tape

Glue

Knots Used:

Alternating Half Hitch

Square Knot

Double Buttonhole Stitch

Vertical Larks Head

Overhand Knot

Barrel Knot

Preparation:

Measure your foot as shown below, so you can determine the size of each section of the Natural Sandals.

When you are finished, add all three measurements together so you know total length you need to make.

To determine the size of the toe loop, measure around your toe and add 1-inch.

Measure from the toe crease over the top of the foot, to determine the length of the buttonhole design.

Measure around your ankle, for the strap length.

Color A (light brown): Cut 2 cords, each at least 65 inches long

Color B (dark brown): Cut 1 cord, at least 75 inches long

Cut these cords longer if the total length you need for the Natural Sandals is more than 8.5 inches.

Prepare the tips of the cords with glue to stiffen and prevent unraveling.

(Optional) Condition the material with Beeswax if using Hemp.

Toe Loop

Step 1: Secure two Color A cords on your board vertically, placing tape to mark the center.

Use cord 2 on the right to make a clockwise Half Hitch onto cord 1 on the left.

Pull on cord 2 to tighten the knot so it rests against the tape.

The next Half Hitch is tied with cord 1 on the left, onto cord 2. Rotate counter-clockwise.

Repeat these two steps several times, until the sennit is HALF the size you need for the toe loop.

So if you need a 3-inch loop, stop at 1.5 inches.

Turn the sennit around and go back to the center.

Flip over the first half so the bottom is now face up. The reason for this is so the knots can be tied the same way.

Tie the same number of knots as the first half, starting with cord 1.

Step 2: The next four steps (A - D) show you how to tie a Square Knot to complete the toe loop.

Refer to these instructions when you get to the following section of the Natural Sandals (Step 3 - 4).

Place the loop around your second toe to make sure it fits. Add more knots if necessary (each end).

Fold it so the four ends are together, and secure it on your board.

Tie a Square knot:

Step A: Move cord 1 to the right, over the fillers and under cord 4.

Step B: Move cord 4 to the left, under the fillers.

As you pull it out on the left, pass over cord 1.

Steps A + B = First Half of SK

Cords 1 and 4 have switched places.

Tying the second half of the SK is the same as steps A and B, but the direction is reversed:

Step C: Move cord 1 to the left, over the fillers and under cord 4.

Step D: Move cord 4 to the right, under the fillers.

As you pull it out on the right, pass over cord 1.

Steps C + D = Second Half of SK

Buttonhole Design

Step 3: Place the color B cord under cords 2 - 3 (fillers), and secure it at the center.

Tie only the first half of an SK (steps A and B).

Move the ends horizontally, right and left.

Move cords 1 and 4 (color A) under the ends of the color B cord.

Tie both halves of a SK (Steps A - D) around the fillers.

The knot is tied loosely in this image only so you can see the parts. Be sure to tighten the knot completely.

Move the ends of color B under the color A working cords (1 and 4).

Tie the second half of a SK (steps C + D) around the fillers.

Design Tip: The concept for this design is that a Square Knot tied with one color is nestled inside the two halves of the second color.

This creates an attractive striped pattern for your Natural Sandals.

Step 4: Tie the remaining SK as follows (see step 2):

Color A - Steps A - D

Color B - Steps A + B (first half)

Color A - Steps A - D

Color B - Steps C + D (second half)

Color A - Steps A - D

Important: For Natural Sandals over 8.5 inches long, tie more knots so this section is 1-inch in length.

The last knot you tie should be with color A.

Step 5: Now you will make the first Buttonhole design for your Natural Sandals.

Use the right half of the color B cord to tie a Half Hitch onto cord 4 (color A).

Rotate clockwise, over - under - over as shown.

The second loop is tied by moving color B clockwise, under - over cord 4.

As you pull it right, pass under color B.

Both loops = 1 Vertical Larks Head knot

Tie at least 4 more Larks Head knots. Slide a bead onto cords 2 and 3.

Test to verify the sennit is long enough to surround the bead, by moving cord 4 to the left horizontally.

The last Larks Head knot should touch cord 3 (filler). Tie more knots if needed.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 on the left, tying the same number of knots.

The left half of cord B is tied around cord 1 (color A).

Rotate counter-clockwise to make the two loops.

Complete the first Buttonhole loop for your Natural Sandals by tying a Square Knot with color A.

The working cords are 1 and 4, as in previous steps.

Repeat Steps 3 - 4 to make the next section of nestled Square Knots.

Begin by moving color B under the color A working cords (1 and 4).

Tie the first half of a SK.

Repeat steps 5 - 6, creating another Buttonhole design.

Place the design on your foot (with the toe loop in place). Verify that this section is close to your ankle.

You can add more nestled SK if necessary, but the design will be slightly different than the images shown.

Divide the cords into two groups, and follow the instructions below to make the ankle straps for your Natural Sandals.

Ankle Straps

Step 7: Use the color B cord on the right to tie 5 Vertical Larks Head knots onto the two color A cords.

This is the same knot you used in the Buttonhole designs. The loops are tied clockwise.

Slide a bead onto all 3 cords.

You may need to use a bead reamer or fine tip pliers to enlarge the hole.

Select one of the color A cords to tie the next 5 Vertical Larks Head knots.

Tie several more sections, alternating the colors.

Make sure you switch between the two color A cords, so you use the material evenly.

The strap should be 1/2 your ankle measurement.

Try the Natural Sandals on your feet to make sure the design fits properly. The last knot should rest in the back of the ankle, in the middle.

Tie additional knots in the strap if necessary.

Make sure you finish with a section of five knots, without a bead at the end.

Step 8: Repeat Step 7, tying the same number of sections.

The only change is that the loops are tied counter-clockwise, since the color B is to the left of the others.

Finishing + Clasp

Tie an Overhand Knot at the end of each strap.

Apply glue on the inside while tightening.

Step 9: When the glue is dry, cut off one cord close to the knot.

Pass the remaining two cords through the bead for the clasp.

Pass the two cords from the other side through the same bead, heading the opposite direction.

Pull both ends to close the Natural Sandals.

For each set of two cords, move down 3 - 4 inches, so there's enough space for your foot to pass through.

Tie a Barrel knot at the place measured. Apply glue and cut off the excess when it's dry.

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