Sand Dragons

Although I'm pleased with the name of this bracelet, like many good things... it came about unplanned.

I was looking for a tidy stopper knot, and found the "Blood Knot".  The Blood Knot got its name from the habit of tying this knot onto the ends of whips in order to extract more blood from victims.  I've just learned this knot, and have noticed that there is some confusion about Blood Knots being the same as Barrel Knots... or Not!  I received my instruction from The Self-Made Sailor.  Thanks, Mate!

Top Left, 3 strand bracelent approximately 23" between knots
Top Right, I find it easier to pull the noose tight if I begin with it on the left (on my left wrist... and, yes, I'm right handed).  The lovely mask in the background was created by Vicky Thomas.  Thank you!!
Bottom Left, blood knot has been inserted in the noose, and the noose has been pulled tight.
Bottom Right, finished look.


On the other end of the bracelet, I wanted a loop. What better than an adjustable slip loop aka noose? I suspect I will have a great deal of fun making more of these. Many times I have been asked to make friendship bracelets, but I hesitated. The Bloody Noose is a variation on the friendship bracelet and has the added advantage of being removable. By all means, if you wish to leave it on until it rots, please do so.

If you want one, let me know and we will settle on an agreeable price. Thank you!
Tell stories, Birth Beauties!

PS - The Blood Knot is also a favorite of Friars and others who like things to hang properly :)

...would make a great keychain. I wove a couple of shoelaces together with a switchback technique. This doodad has a natural twist (shown here) but can be straightened. It is coiled like a snake for photo purposes only. If hung, the weight of the spiral w/bead on the end would pull it straight.

Total length is 11 inches. Decorative twist is 7 inches.

I made this tote bag for my sister's birthday. The strap was created from two shoelace weaves (on my inkle loom).

The center of the strap was then re-woven by hand in a trilobite pattern so the straps won't dig into the shoulder.

Happy Birthday, Lynn!

Most of my displays are of shoelaces that fit the average sneaker, which would be the mid-40" range.
This is a safe size for gift giving.  Who doesn't have a pair of sneakers to jazz up?

I've created tiny baby laces, super long boot laces, and everything in between.

I came across a bit of knotting history you may find of interest.  It's the story of the double Matthew Walker knot.. (second from last on page)

Before moving on to other patterns, I had a few more STRIPES I wanted to show you.

The three laces on the left emphasize the contrasting polka dots on the side (known as the weft thread). Two of the three have a weft matching a color within the main weave. The one in the middle is a rebel. Don't you love diversity? :)

Second from right is a weave I absolutely adore because of the texture created from recycled cotton.  (I still have plenty left, but when it's out of stock it's out of stock.)  Combined with a variegated maroon/white/black sock yarn, I can't help but fantasize about lovingly wrapped packages, a crackling fireplace... plum pudding.  Hey!  Wait a minute!  I've never even had plum pudding...
Anyway, these laces would make a lovely ribbon and gift at the same time.

The lace on the far right has bi-colored stripes.   I've had a ton of fun playing with colors on this pattern.
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As always, tell stories birth beauties!

Logic tells us there is not much room in the width of a shoelace for a large variety of patterns. But I continue to be amazed at the range of options for vertical stripes alone, only some of which are shown above.

There are 13 laces. Starting just past the midnight hour on the shoelace clock (click for larger picture):

#1 - The clay colored center widens every other row giving half-a-railroad-track effect.

#2, 9, 10 & 11 - Two contrasting colors with a single stripe down the center.

#3 & 6 - Three colors. This is what I call my "flag series" because so many flags have three colors. But these two laces actually have a different pattern. If #3 were patterned like #6, it would be blue-red-blue-white-blue. But it's not :)

#4, 7, 8 & 12 - Two contrasting colors with two vertical stripes. Notice the difference in effect between the black & white (#4) and peach & turquoise (#8). #8 was made with finer threads, and so the stripes aren't quite as prominent. I also use embroidery thread to give a shadow effect to some stripes. The possibilities are endless.

#5 - Three colors. This shoelace is framed in white. The black and blue stripes vary in width creating a quasi-triangular pattern. So much of what I do is quasi. Hooray for quasi!... cousin to flexi! (think about it)

Last but not least, #13 - Two colors, side by side with no "frame". This pattern has an interesting little twist. This lace is teal & white. If I weave with a white thread, the teal side will have white polka-dots. If I weave with a teal thread, the white side will have teal polka dots. If I weave with a bright yellow thread, both sides will have bright yellow polka dots, and the lace would morph to tri-color.

See what I mean about possibilities? Tell stories, birth beauties!!

The "forest floor" laces I wove this morning really delighted me, and I wanted to share the picture with you. To take the shot, I wrapped the lace several times around a cylindrical vase.

Then I began thinking how many uses my *shoe*laces might have.

- Decorate vases and planters

- Personalize coffee mugs

- Neckties (as Vicki demonstrated; see post below)

- Hair Art

- Trim for clothing and costumes

- Cat toys :)

- Starters for making your own personalized bracelets and necklaces

- Bows for that special gift

What else...?

My first huarache experiment lasted one week. I wove the laces from 100% baby alpaca wool. They are super soft and strong. However, the laces got frizzy where I tied the half-hitch. So they didn't pass the test.

Today I started to replace the wool laces with a beautiful red and gray hemp weave. The toe area is woven tube style, and then the lace flattens out to display an aesthetically pleasing pattern. However, I couldn't force the lace through the huarache holes... at least not without cursing. After a great deal of frustration, I managed to force the lace through one of six holes.

This is the end of my huarache experiment for now. But since they are ever-so-comfortable to wear, I will return. I love walking barefoot, and my huarache's are the next best thing.

NEXT UP: I will practice making waraji soles (see previous post) so that I can attach huarache style laces in a more practical manner.