Beaded Macrame Neck Tie
My children have made me a couple of bead necklaces, and I have worn them looped around my top button and hanging down as a neck tie substitute. I thought to improve the design with some knots while still keeping the beads.
Materials needed:
Hemp cord about the thickness of a boot string. You'll need one piece 42 inches long and two pieces 7 feet long.
Scissors.
50-100 beads depending on the size of the beads.
Materials needed:
Hemp cord about the thickness of a boot string. You'll need one piece 42 inches long and two pieces 7 feet long.
Scissors.
50-100 beads depending on the size of the beads.
Starting the Necklace
Start with the 42 inch piece of cord.
Loop it around as shown.
Loop it around as shown.
Add the Center Bead(s)
Thread a bead or two onto the center of the necklace.
The First Sliding Knot
Fold back about four inches of cord on one end, and make a loop.
Wrap the end of the loop around itself and the original cord three times.
Bring the end up through the loop.
Tighten the knot by pushing the wraps toward the loop while holding the end.
Wrap the end of the loop around itself and the original cord three times.
Bring the end up through the loop.
Tighten the knot by pushing the wraps toward the loop while holding the end.
The Second Sliding Knot
Slide the cord through the knot you've just made until the loop is big enough to get over your head.
Snug the cord around your neck.
Center the starting bead and leave the sliding knot a couple inches off to the side to keep it hidden when the collar is folded down.
Bring the dangling end around the back of your neck and make a loop for the other sliding knot.
Keep the loop back a couple inches from the center bead, and hold onto this loop while removing the cord .
Tie a sliding knot again with three wraps around and bringing the end through the loop.
Slide the knots together to lengthen the cord.
Try it on.
Tightening the cord can be a bit tricky. Grasp a knot with one hand and one of the cords at the back of your neck with the other hand. Try to slide the knot. If it won't slide forward, try holding the other cord while sliding the knot forward. Repeat the process with the other knot until the cords are even and snug.
Once you have tried it on and are satisfied with the knot placement, trim the ends to about one half inch.
Loosening the cord for removal is easier. Grasp the single cord at the front of your neck and slide back one knot then the other.
Snug the cord around your neck.
Center the starting bead and leave the sliding knot a couple inches off to the side to keep it hidden when the collar is folded down.
Bring the dangling end around the back of your neck and make a loop for the other sliding knot.
Keep the loop back a couple inches from the center bead, and hold onto this loop while removing the cord .
Tie a sliding knot again with three wraps around and bringing the end through the loop.
Slide the knots together to lengthen the cord.
Try it on.
Tightening the cord can be a bit tricky. Grasp a knot with one hand and one of the cords at the back of your neck with the other hand. Try to slide the knot. If it won't slide forward, try holding the other cord while sliding the knot forward. Repeat the process with the other knot until the cords are even and snug.
Once you have tried it on and are satisfied with the knot placement, trim the ends to about one half inch.
Loosening the cord for removal is easier. Grasp the single cord at the front of your neck and slide back one knot then the other.
From Necklace to Neck Tie
At this point you have a necklace.
Not it's time to start adding the neck tie.
Fold the seven foot long cords in half, and attach to the necklace with a Lark's Head.
Put the loop under the necklace. Pass the ends over the necklace and through the loop.
Repeat on the other side of the center bead.
Not it's time to start adding the neck tie.
Fold the seven foot long cords in half, and attach to the necklace with a Lark's Head.
Put the loop under the necklace. Pass the ends over the necklace and through the loop.
Repeat on the other side of the center bead.
The First Bead and Knot
With the four cords hanging down from the necklace, think of them numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 from left to right.
Thread a bead or two onto cord 1.
You will now tie a right-handed square knot with cords 1 and 3 with cord 2 as filler.
Make a loop with cord 1 with cord 2 on top of the loop.
Thread the end of cord 3 under the loop, over cord 2, and under cord 1.
Continue to loop cord 3 under cord 1, over cord 2, and back under the loop.
Tighten the square knot keeping about half an inch of cord 1 for the first bead.
Thread a bead or two onto cord 1.
You will now tie a right-handed square knot with cords 1 and 3 with cord 2 as filler.
Make a loop with cord 1 with cord 2 on top of the loop.
Thread the end of cord 3 under the loop, over cord 2, and under cord 1.
Continue to loop cord 3 under cord 1, over cord 2, and back under the loop.
Tighten the square knot keeping about half an inch of cord 1 for the first bead.
Beads on Cord 4 and Another Knot
Thread 2 or 3 beads onto Cord 4.
You will now tie a right-handed square knot with cords 2 and 4 with cord 3 as filler.
Make a loop with cord 2 with cord 3 on top of the loop.
Thread the end of cord 4 under the loop, over cord 3, and under cord 2.
Continue to loop cord 4 under cord 2, over cord 3, and back under the loop.
Tighten the square knot keeping about an inch of cord 4 for the beads.
You will now tie a right-handed square knot with cords 2 and 4 with cord 3 as filler.
Make a loop with cord 2 with cord 3 on top of the loop.
Thread the end of cord 4 under the loop, over cord 3, and under cord 2.
Continue to loop cord 4 under cord 2, over cord 3, and back under the loop.
Tighten the square knot keeping about an inch of cord 4 for the beads.
Beads on Cord 1 and Another Knot
Thread two or three beads onto cord 1.
You will again tie a right-handed square knot with cords 1 and 3 with cord 2 as filler.
Make a loop with cord 1 with cord 2 on top of the loop.
Thread the end of cord 3 under the loop, over cord 2, and under cord 1.
Continue to loop cord 3 under cord 1, over cord 2, and back under the loop.
Tighten the square knot keeping about half an inch of cord 1 for the first bead.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you have the desired length or you run out of beads.
Try to keep the spacing for the beads the same length for a more uniform result.
You will again tie a right-handed square knot with cords 1 and 3 with cord 2 as filler.
Make a loop with cord 1 with cord 2 on top of the loop.
Thread the end of cord 3 under the loop, over cord 2, and under cord 1.
Continue to loop cord 3 under cord 1, over cord 2, and back under the loop.
Tighten the square knot keeping about half an inch of cord 1 for the first bead.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you have the desired length or you run out of beads.
Try to keep the spacing for the beads the same length for a more uniform result.
Finishing the Ends
Finish by Overhand knotting cords 1 and 2 together.
Create a loop then pass the end through and tighten.
Repeat for cords 3 and 4.
Cut the ends of the cords evenly.
Create a loop then pass the end through and tighten.
Repeat for cords 3 and 4.
Cut the ends of the cords evenly.
Final Thoughts
I ran out of beads with a 17-inch long neck tie. If you want a 20-inch long neck tie, increase the length of the cords to 9 feet.
I can't wait to wear it to school!
I can't wait to wear it to school!