Brazilian Bracelets

Basic principles

Each form of thread knotting has 2 basic knots: 1 to form the stitch and the 2nd to fix it in place. There are many types of knotting:

• Knotting from left to right continuously: use 2 forward knots.

• Knotting from right to left continuously: use 2 backward knots.

• Mixed knotting: forward/backward knot or backward/forward knot.

• Cut several strands of floss, each about 1.2 m (4 ft) long. The number depends on how wide you want your bracelet to be. 

• Position the threads from left to right, side by side, along the edge of a table.

• Place a strip of tape 20 cm (8 inches) from the top of the threads to hold them in place on the table.

• With your right hand, take the thread you'll use to make the knot (in diagram, 1), and, with your left hand, take the thread on which you'll make the knot (in diagram, 2).

• With the 1st thread, make 2 forward knots on the 2nd thread.
  ! - Always be sure to pull the knots tight, pulling the thread making the stitch toward the top.

• With this same 1st thread, make 2 forward knots on the 3rd thread, then the 4th thread, up to (and including) the last thread.

• Leave the 1st thread to the right of the last thread.
  

• With the 2nd thread (that is now the 1st in line), make 2 forward knots on each thread up to (and including) the last thread.

• Place this 2nd thread to the right of the last thread.

• Repeat this process until your bracelet is the desired length.

• As you make your bracelet, move it and reattach it to the table with tape, as needed.

To end a bracelet horizontally, lined up with the last knot on the right

• Take the 1st thread and make 2 forward knots on the 2nd thread, etc., until you reach the 3rd thread from the right. Place the 1st thread to the right of this thread.

• Take the 2nd thread and make 2 forward knots on the 3rd thread, etc., until you reach the 5th thread from the right. Place the 2nd thread to the right of this thread.

• Continue this way, moving in 2 additional threads from the right each time, until you finish your horizontal line of knots.

• Cut the thread, leaving 10 cm (4 inches).

To make the beginning of a bracelet horizontal, lined up with the last knot on the right

• Turn the bracelet 180° (so that the bottom end is now at the top) and secure the far in place with tape.

• Use the threads that formed the start of the bracelet.

• With the 1st thread, make 2 forward knots on the 2nd, etc., until you reach the 3rd thread from the right, and place the 1st thread to the right of that thread.

• Take the 2nd thread and make 2 forward knots on the 3rd thread, etc., until you reach the 5th thread from the right, and place the 2nd thread to the right of that thread.

• Continue this way, moving in 2 additional threads from the right each time, until you finish your horizontal line of knots.