  {Bracelet} The recently developed basket-weave bracelets are among the easiest and most popular projects for flat gimp. This is in part due to the fact that they offer so many possibilities for originality of design. The standard gimp types, for instance, may be made with from one to seven colors, so it is possible to match them with any color schemes of belts or leashes, or to make them harmonize with any costume. Wide Gimp Basket-Weave Bracelet
Fasten the ends of the short strands to the band with a paper clip in the position shown in figure 5. Leaving one half inch or so free at the start, weave the long strand under one—over one—under one. (Fig. 6.) Bring it around through the band and weave the next row of stitches over one—under on—over one. (Fig. 7.) Pull the strands tight. Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Continue alternating these two steps all the way around the band. If the pattern does not come out even, rip out the last few stitches and weave them again closer together to gain space for the extra stitch. Then remove the paper clip and weave each short strand back loosely through the first two stitches at the beginning. (Fig. 8.) Cut off the beginning end of the weaving strand at the edge of the bracelet. (Fig. 9.) Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Finish off by braiding along the start of the weaving strand (Fig. 10), around the outside of the band. This makes the last weaving row under one—over one—under one. Pull all the ends tight and clip them off close to the braid. Fig. 10 The pattern shown above is made with three colors according to the direction illustrations. Checkerboard patterns are made by using one color on the band and a second color for weaving. Four more two-color patterns are made by placing the lighter color at the center of the band or at the edge, and by using a dark or a light weaving strand. Three-color patterns have six additional possibilities for variation on the same principle. {Additional patterns} {Additional patterns} Standard Gimp Basket-Weave Bracelet
Fasten the five short strands to the band as shown in figure 12. Then weave across the band in any of the ways shown below, bringing the strand through the center after each row. (Fig. 13.) Several two-color combinations of these stitches are suggested here, but do not let these limit your originality, as there are very many possible patterns. Finish off the bracelet as described on page 2. Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Wood Core Basket-Weave Bracelet
Made in exactly the same way as the preceding. The beginning strands may be tied in place or fastened with adhesive tape. Additional ProjectsThe directions already given apply equally well to all of the following projects. Six-strand standard gimp bracelets are made like five-strand bracelets with an additional 12 strand on the core. Wood core napkin rings like that shown above require three, four, or five 8 core strands and a 3 yd. weaving strand. Napkin rings made on shortened ¼ bands (6 between the notches) require either five or six 8 standard gimp core strands and a 2¼ yd. weaving strand. Narrow band bracelets of the type shown at the top of the page can be made of standard gimp with three or four 12 core strands and a 2¼ yd. weaving strand. Narrow band napkin rings require three or four 8 core strands and a 1¾ yd. weaving strand. {Two-color combinations} |
|
