If you are interested in crafting, hemp is an incredible material to work with. Although many associate hemp necklaces with the flower child movement of the 1960’s, hemp has been a useful material throughout history. You can find hemp cord practically everywhere that carries basic craft materials.
In order to make a hemp necklace, you will first need to find a pattern. If you are not familiar with macrame stitches, you should consider purchasing a book that shows how to make all of the basic knots. Practice them on plain hemp until you become comfortable with each one.
It is vital that you maintain even tension while you are working. Otherwise, the final product will look poor. While you do not have to learn all of the knots, you should be comfortable with the ones your project utilizes. Start with simpler designs and work toward more complex ones as you increase your skill levels.
One of the most important decisions that you will make regards how the necklace attaches. If you make a long rope, you can fit it over your head. Otherwise, you will need to determine which fastener would work best for you.
Utilizing the hemp cord to make an over-sized knot on one end and a loop on the other is a common practice for macrame jewelers. However, you might not feel comfortable with this method if you are new to the practice.
In that case, simply purchase and attach a connector. You can find ones that have a barrel screw on each end, claw hooks and much more. One important thing to consider is how the cording will look once attached. Sometimes, using a cord cover on the end to gather and hide the large connective knot is a wise choice. See what the directions for your necklace say.
Make sure that you have adequate twine for the project. If you are utilizing simple square knots and intend to keep the inner and outer cords in the same place throughout, measuring should be simple. For the inside cords, you will need the intended length of the final necklace plus enough for the connections and comfortable working material.
The outer cords should be 3-4 times the length of the inside ones. When working with more complicated designs, you will need additional cording. If you are changing the cord size from the original project, adjust the length accordingly. Thinner cord will use less length while thicker twine will require more to finish the same project.
Follow your instructions carefully and always mark your stopping point. When you are finished, you might want to use glue to secure the knots at each end. Make sure it is compatible with the material and will not discolor or otherwise mar the project.
You can make hemp necklaces for yourself and others with a minimal amount of practice. Have fun with your projects and continue trying new knots and techniques so that you can always have something new to try!