Watchband Design
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Description: This Watchband Design can be used to replace one that is broken or worn. This is a very basic Micro-Macrame pattern using only a few decorative knots. It can be embellished with beads, charms, or novelty buttons if you want something a little more fancy. |
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Supplies Needed:
- 1mm Hemp, Cotton, or similar material
- Project Board and Pins
- Buckle – 0.75-inch to 1-inch size
- Watch Face (standard, with a bar for attachment)
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Knots Used:
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| Note: Are you “recycling” a watch face that has already had a band attached to it? It needs to have bars along the edges where a purchased band would be attached. If the bars are missing, the watch face cannot be used. |
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Preparing The Cords |
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- Cut 6 strands of cord material, each 50 inches long.
- Cut 6 strands, each 55 inches in length.
Apply a light coat of glue to the ends, to prevent unraveling. Allow it to dry completely. |
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Mounting Cords to Watch Face |
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Step 1: Mount all 6 of the 50-inch cords to the bar (or opening) of the watch face, using Larks Head knots. You’ll end up with 12 strands to work with.
Do the same with all 6 of the 55-inch cords, mounting them to the opposite side of the watch. Secure these strands out of the way for now. They won’t be used until step 8. |
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First Half of Watchband Design |
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Step 2: Divide the cords into three groups of four. All the Square Knots will have 2 fillers and 2 working cords. Tie a Square Knot (SK) with the group on the left. Tie a Mirror Square Knot (MSK) on the right, which is the same knot, only made in reverse. The knot in the middle can be either a SK or MSK; it doesn’t matter which.
Note: The reason the knots need to be made in different directions is so the edges will be symmetrical.
Step 3: Alternate cords by ignoring the 2 strands at both ends, and tie another row of knots. This is the standard way to tie Alternating Square Knots. Make sure the knot on the right is always a MSK, as you continue this pattern.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the watchband design measures 7cm to 10cm (3 to 4 inches). The length will depend on the size of your wrist. |
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Adding the Buckle |
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Step 5: Trim the ends of the strands so they are even. Divide the cords up into two groups. Apply tape to the ends of both groups, to keep the strands together in bundles.
You can click on the small images, and larger photos will come up in a new window. |
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Step 6: Pass both groups over the central bar of the buckle, to either side of the tongue. Come around the outside of the buckle, and pass the ends into the space between the groups. The spot you are looking for is just above the last knots of the band, and below the buckle. |
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Flip the watchband design over. The ends should be dangling in the back of the watchband when you are through, near the center of the buckle. |
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| Tip: This process is easier if you have plenty of slack as you move the cords into position. Gradually remove the slack from each set of cords. |
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Step 7: Using 2 strands at a time, preferably one from each bundle, tie tight Square knots with no fillers. This will secure the buckle. There should be a total of 6 knots. Apply glue to all the knots, and allow it to dry. Cut off any remaining material. |
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Second Half of Watchband Design |
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Step 8: Repeat steps 2 thru 4, using the 55-inch cords already mounted to the opposite side of the watch face. Create the Alternating Square Knot pattern until the second half of the watchband design is the same length as the first portion (including the buckle). You can even make it slightly longer if you have enough cord.
Step 9: For the final 2 rows of Alternating Square Knots, omit 2 strands at both edges. One row will have 2 knots, and the last row will have 1 knot. This will cause the end to be pointed, so it fits through the buckle more easily. |
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| Step 10: Direct the omitted cords, from the row with 2 knots, towards the center of the band. These will be diagonal holding cords for the next knots, so secure them to your project board. Make sure they have plenty of tension. They should rest on top of the other strands, and along the edge of the V design you just made. |
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| Step 11: Attach half of the strands to one of these holding cords with Double Half Hitches. Start at the widest part of the V shape, and work your way down towards the point. Then attach the remaining strands to the second holding cord in the same manner. To complete the point, attach one holding cord to the other with a DHH. |
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Finishing Touches |
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Step 12: Direct all the ends to the back of the band. Tie tight Square Knots with no fillers, using 2 strands per knot. These knots should rest against the watchband design. Apply glue to these knots as well as the back portion of the DHH you made in step 11. When the glue is dry, cut off any remaining material. |
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