
The Design Gallery
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Follow along with step-by-step beading projects and share your designs with beaders around the world—it’s quick & easy!
Chatter
- dolllady aka Pam on “Taking a Break”:
“Fantastic bracelet and earrings! They are perfect colors.…” read »
- tarznig on “Gilded Autumn Necklace”:
“I'm a bit confused. Never did this before. Could I thread the wire through the bead to…” read »
- dolllady aka Pam on “Pablo”:
“I'm with Nancy! I'm not a Picasso fan, but love this necklace. Maybe, you…” read »
- Granny Nancy on “Pablo”:
“Almost forgot, did you draw "free hand" a copy of the picasso painting you have on…” read »
- Granny Nancy on “Pablo”:
“You know me well enough to know that this is not my usual preference but I…” read »
- sweetjane on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Thanks you all! Nancy always sends me such beautiful beads to work with. Plus, I've got…” read »
- EARHEAD on “Asymmetry”:
“I love it!…” read »
- Robin nursechick on “Kinda Wacky”:
“Jane, it's very eclectic and I love it. I love those connectors! Fun and…” read »
- Robin nursechick on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“What a beautiful necklace, Jane. I love the beads you chose- especially the rectangle blue…” read »
- Granny Nancy on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Oh Jane, this is just so pretty. It will appeal to almost anyone especially those who…” read »
- MH on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Gorgeous11…” read »
- Melody F on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Oooh! Very pretty! Extremely lovely! I would just add a tiny carnelian bead…” read »
- dolllady aka Pam on “May Showers Bring Spring Flowers”:
“Ahhh-mazing! This necklace is stunning. The colors and beads are so cohesive. This would…” read »
- Beady Little Eyes on “Kinda Wacky”:
“Very fun and unusual choices of beads and charms. Love it.…” read »
- Beady Little Eyes on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“So much to see in your bracelet. Love the array of beads and findings. I really…” read »
- Beady Little Eyes on “Brass Christmas tree ornaments”:
“I love what you did with the Christmas trees. They're beautiful and fun.…” read »
- Beady Little Eyes on “Follow the Sun Necklace”:
“What a wonderful group of necklaces. Nice work.…” read »
- Beady Little Eyes on “Citrus Blossom Bracelet”:
“Wow. I love your bracelets. The recycled glass flowers are great. And the necklace is adorable.…” read »
- Robin nursechick on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Linhasita wax cord is the only I use. They have hundreds of colors and sizes. I…” read »
- Crystal Canary on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Thanks for the tip Robin. I'll also check online for the Linhasita cording. Using…” read »
- kye on “Brass Christmas tree ornaments”:
“These look great. Please post what you end up doing with them. I'd love to see…” read »
- Deb Harding on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Thanks for that info Robin. I'm going to have to search for that. Never even heard…” read »
- K Ralston on “Brass Christmas tree ornaments”:
“Christmas in the Spring. Nice!…” read »
- K Ralston on “Kinda Wacky”:
“Glad to see you are feeling better and back to creating your pieces. You've got some…” read »
- sweetjane on “Kinda Wacky”:
“Thanks you all...the more I look at it the more I like it. It's unique...which…” read »
- Robin nursechick on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Have you tried the 5mm polyester Linhasita wax cord? Try it and see if that…” read »
- Crystal Canary on “Kinda Wacky”:
“Jane, I think the acetate connector works great as a bracelet focal. I've also been…” read »
- Crystal Canary on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Such nice comments--Thank you very much! It was encouraging to read all your kind…” read »
- Fresh Baked on “Follow the Sun Necklace”:
“These three play so well together! A great way to incorporate your new African beads…” read »
- Fresh Baked on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“What beachy glamour! Love the touch of pink silk.…” read »
- dolllady aka Pam on “Kinda Wacky”:
“I wouldn't call this wacky. Personally I think it is creative. I personally would…” read »
- sweetjane on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“This just fantastic! Everting works so well together, to create a very beachy bracelet. You know…” read »
- kye on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Another CC beauty. I agree with Deb-I really like the way the white strand ties everything…” read »
- Deb Harding on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“WOW!! I totally love love love this Crystal. You know how much I love beach themed…” read »
- K Ralston on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Wow Crystal. What a work of art this bracelet is. I like the silk. It adds…” read »
- dolllady aka Pam on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“I love everything in your bracelet! The colors are gorgeous for the beach look.…” read »
- Jogi on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Crystal, I love this bracelet!!!! All of it! The coral silk and the coral…” read »
- Robin nursechick on “More Stuff From the Stash”:
“LRC, these are all so pretty- I like the second one with owl-perfect for casual wear-which…” read »
- Robin nursechick on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Wowza Crystal-this is gorgeous! I love the sand dollar focal- this bracelet is one of…” read »
- Crystal Canary on “At The Water’s Edge”:
“Sorry about the dark pictures! I was so excited to take my pictures outside in…” read »

Castaway Beaded Macrame Bracelet
by Ali on 10/13/11
About this design:
My inspiration for this bracelet was the California coast. Rocky, Pacific blues, mossy greens with some hip gunmetals. Using a sliding square knot closure gives the bracelet a cohesive look and makes it completely adjustable.
What you’ll need: (buy products below)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Tie knot at one end of your core strand and dab with glue or epoxy. Then string on a 6mm-ish size bead up to the knot. Take both working strands and together create an overhand knot around the core strand 3-4" from the bead and dab the knot with a bit of glue or epoxy. Clip knot the clipboard. |
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Step 2: Make 4 square knots, then string bead onto core strand. Pull bead tightly up to knots and bring the working strands down and around the bottom of the bead. Make 2 square knots and add another bead, repeating until your desired length. This can be anywhere from 10-14 8mm beads, I used 10 8mm ceramic and 3 4mm gunmetal cubes. |
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Step 3: Once you are finished adding beads to your bracelet, complete 4 square knots. |
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Step 4: Finish off with an overhand knot using the working strands together around the core strand. Apply glue or epoxy to the knot. |
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Step 5: String on a similar 6mm bead as used previously and tie a knot 3-4" from the overhand knot just made. Dab knot with glue or epoxy. |
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Step 6: I chose to use the same 20# variegated hemp I used in the bracelet to make the sliding square knot closure. When your closure is complete gently hold onto it with one hand while using the other to pull the cords to tighten and loosen the bracelet. See Tip: Using the Sliding Square Knot |
Buy Products from this Design
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You are viewing all 2 items.

On Oct 13, 2011 at 6:35 pm #
Mary - Sweet Chick says:Really, really cool idea!
Love the earthy feel of this!
On Oct 14, 2011 at 1:49 pm #
Ali says:Thanks Mary. This bracelet is so easy to make and the sliding knot closure can be used in so many places!
On Oct 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm #
sunny chick says:Gorgeous! Thank you for the step-by-step instructions!
On Oct 17, 2011 at 5:38 pm #
Lynn Eileen Chicky LE says:Love your bracelet, Ali — the style and colors are perfect together!
I’ve been making various styles of hemp woven bracelets for quite some time — love the many combos I can make! You are so right about the sliding knot closure, Ali!
On Oct 26, 2011 at 1:03 am #
Reet says:Awesome design!Love it very much!
On Nov 26, 2011 at 12:25 pm #
R abbott says:Ali, Thank you for sharing! I have been wanting to learn how to make the sliding closure and you make it soooo easy! How fun is your job!?!? You can tell you love what you do! So glad I checked out LIMA!!!!
On Apr 05, 2012 at 7:34 pm #
Sheryl A says:Amazing work Ali keep it up!!!
On Apr 06, 2012 at 12:50 pm #
Kris says:This would be a great way to use up mismatched beads!
On May 18, 2012 at 7:43 am #
Stacey w says:I’ve never used hemp before, could you tell me what weight I would order for this bracelet? Ali, your jewelry pieces are amazing, there isn’t one I don’t love!
On May 18, 2012 at 10:50 am #
Pastor Gaga says:I just found Lima Beads and I’m in love! Can’t wait to dive into all the stuff that’s here!
On Nov 30, 2012 at 4:16 pm #
nannirice58 says:this is beautiful can’t wait to order the products to make it with and make it thanks for showing me how. After I get It I hope the vidio is still up so I can make it
On Sep 19, 2013 at 4:19 pm #
Jax luvs jewels says:Ali….I get the earthy feel too…my favorite pieces are earthy and yours is beautiful!! Great choice of beads.
On Oct 28, 2013 at 11:30 pm #
J Bracey says:Love your instructions! Thank you…Do you think you might make video instructions in the future? That would be really nice as I learn better by watching the piece being made.
) Jeannie
On Nov 23, 2013 at 5:55 am #
Carlatherese says:Can’t wait to try the sliding closure for grandaughter’s bracelets.
Could I use 1mm leather instead of the hemp? I’d like to use the blue leather I have.
THANKS for directions. Very clear…I have to see it to do it.
On Oct 09, 2014 at 5:27 pm #
Jewel Mex says:This is a great design. It can be made with every color under the sun AND glitter cord would look great for a little bling, festive for holidays. Love it. Ty for sharing such a
useful design.
On Feb 07, 2015 at 12:45 pm #
W Bonin says:Thanks for the instructions. I’ve never used hemp before however I will give this project a try.
On Nov 24, 2015 at 11:42 am #
Madame le canard says:This design is so flexible! It can be adapted in so many ways, from changing out the stringing material and/or the beads, to changing colorways and dressing it up or down to one’s taste. So much can be done with it, but the basic instructions stay the same. Thank you, Ali!
On Apr 07, 2016 at 6:47 pm #
alohadm57 says:Aloha Ali & Everyone Else That Loves Ali’s Designs & Creativity! I Make A lot of My Own Jewerly, From Stringing & Gold-Filled Wire & Gem & Semi-Presouse Mostly! I’ve done Very Well @ Selling Though a Store in East Hampton, N.Y., When I Lived There! @ That time 9-Years ago, & even Now, Turquoise & S/S Chunky Bracelets were Really, ” The It & In Thing “!!! I found that w/ $20.00 worth of materials & 20 min’s of My Time. They Sold Like ” Hot Cakes “, For $250.00 Ea. & I got 1/2 Of That in Cash!!! Anyways, When I was in My Late Teens I Worded @ a Hobbie Store & Teached Macrame Classes. But didn’t now then about making Jewlery? Its Come a Long Way sence All Those Owls w/ wooden bead eyes ( Lol!!! ) I am in My late 50′s, Retired & Living On The North Shore Of Oahu, Halewia, HI.. Now I am Going To Make Some Macrame & Bead Findings Bracelets!!! Mahalo For Sharing Ali!
On Oct 05, 2019 at 11:21 am #
N Sullivan says:This design is like the one i use it’s fabulous