  {Bracelets} These illustrated bracelets need no introduction, since they are standard as braiding projects. They are ordinarily made with from one to four colors, but can be made with as many as eight colors, so there is a wide range of possibilities for bright patterns. The braid itself is an eight strand variation of the braiding used for leashes and lanyards. Standard Flat-Weave Bracelet
Hold the center of all four strands against the inside of the band about ½ beyond the joint. (Fig. 46.) If standard gimp is used, be sure to have the seams next to the metal. Fold the strands on the left diagonally down across the band, holding them with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. (Fig. 47.) Fig. 46 Fig. 47 Weave the top right strand across the band under the first, over the second, under the third, and over the fourth strands. (Fig. 48.) Weave the next strand over the first, under the second, over the third, and under the fourth strands. (Fig. 49.) Weave the third strand under one—over one—under one—over one, and weave the last strand under two—over one—under one. Make certain that none of the strands are twisted, then tighten the braid on the band until the gimp lies flat without bulging. (Fig. 50.) Fig. 48 Fig. 49 Fig. 50 Pass the top right strand through the bracelet. Bring it forward between the two middle strands at the left. Then fold it back across the band over the third strand and under the fourth. (Fig. 51.) Pull it tight. Next do the same with the upper left strand (Fig. 52), and continue alternately weaving the top left and right strands in this way. The last strand woven shows as the lowest on the inside, so you can always tell which strand to weave next. Fig. 51 Fig. 52 If the pattern does not come out even when you have woven the entire distance around the bracelet, ease the braid back around the band to gain whatever additional space you need in order to complete the design. Clip the ends of the strands to make them pointed. Then weave the lower right strand under the beginning strand on the same side. (Fig. 53.) Weave the lower left strand over the first and under the second beginning strands on the left. (Fig. 54.) Then weave the free strand on the left over one—under one, thus completing the face of the braid with all the strands woven to the edge. (Fig. 55.) Fig. 53 Fig. 54 Fig. 55 To finish off, work inside the bracelet. Weave the upper left strand under the first two slanting strands on the right. (Fig. 56.) Weave the upper right strand under the two opposite strands. (Fig. 57.) Fig. 56 Fig. 57 Weave the rest of the strands in the same way (Fig. 58), then draw the work tight and trim off the ends. Many additional patterns can be made by varying the position of the strands at the start. The strands may simply be crossed on the inside (Fig. 59), to make one series of patterns. They may be looped to bring both ends of the same strand on the same side for another group of patterns. Titan lacing may be looped flat as in figure 60, but standard gimp should have the strands arranged as in figure 61 so that the seam sides will be toward the band. Combinations of straight, crossed, and looped strands offer further possibilities for patterns. Fig. 58 Fig. 59 Fig. 60 Eight separate strands 4 ft. long may be started as shown in figure 62. An ordinary paper clip is sufficient to hold the braid in place. Weaving with eight strands extends the possibilities for unusual patterns, but care must be exercised to keep the designs simple. Fig. 61 Fig. 62 Wood-Core Flat-Weave Bracelet
The stunning bracelets of the type shown here are made in exactly the same way as the standard bracelets. Narrow Flat-Weave Bracelet
These, also, are made in the same way as the standard bracelets, offering the same opportunities for patterns. Six-Strand Flat-Weave BraceletsThe preceding bracelets can be made equally well with three long strands instead of four. The only difference in the braiding is that the strand which is carried around the back should be brought forward between the first two strands and woven across the band over one—under one. (Fig. 63.) The lengths of the strands required are as follows:
Fig. 63 Napkin RingsAny of the above can be made as napkin rings. If the core used is 6 in circumference (in metal bands, 6 between the notches), use three-fourths as much material as is required for the corresponding bracelet. {Rings} |
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