Stringing

• The stringing material that makes up hemp bracelets is hemp rope, also called hemp cord or hemp twine. The rope is made up of hemp fibers that are taken from hemp plants and spun into strong strands that vary in thickness. Hemp rope is used for many different things, but the hemp rope used for bracelets is often a thickness of about 1/2 millimeter to 1 millimeter. The rope also comes in several colors and can be purchased in spools of varying lengths.
  
  

Beads

• Beads can be incorporated into hemp bracelets as part of a simple or intricate design. The beads may be separated by simple knots, worked into a braiding pattern or strung onto the hemp rope without any separation. Clay, glass, plastic, metal and wooden beads are some of the many types of beads used on hemp bracelets. Some jewelry makers choose to make their own clay beads with earthenware or polymer clays, woodworking or glass fusion techniques.
  
  

Closures

• Closures allow the hemp bracelets to open and close so that the wearer can take them off or keep them on. Unlike elastic cording, hemp does not stretch. This means that a permanent stationary knot will not work. Some types of closures will work with hemp, such as clasps, slipknots, and loop-over-bead closures. Clasps are easily connected with knots around the loops at either end, while slipknots and bead-over-loop closures offer solutions that do not require extra hardware.
  
  

Techniques

• Part of what creates the overall look of each hemp bracelet is the technique used to make it. Macrame, a decorative knotting technique, is used to create twisted or box knots. Beads can be added between these knots to create a pattern. Simple braids can be used in the same way with or without beads. Single or multiple strands can be used without braiding or knotting techniques to string beads as well.