A Guide To Doing Your Own Hempwork

Hello folks. well for those of you who want to learn the art of hempwork, this is your answer! hopefully my guide will help you learn how to make your very own hemp necklaces, bracelets, and so on.

First you'll want to buy some hemp. You can find them at any local crafts store (most likely), or better yet your local hemp or headshop, I've also even bought hemp from walmart, and it works just as good. Now I'll walk you through on how to make a hemp necklace.

Step 1: Once you have your hemp, cut a piece that is approximately 2 feet long, it doesn't have to be exactly that long but give it your best shot. Once you've cut it, fold it in half so it forms a loop at one end, and two loose strings at the other end.


Step 2: Now that you have your first piece cut, it's time to cut the second piece. It has to be very long, over 2x your arms span. Basically, just cut a piece that is as long as if you were to pull a piece of string from the ball as far out as you can, then double that length. If THAT'S still confusing for you, just cut a piece that is about 2x the length of your height. Fold it in half, just like the first piece, so you end up with another loop


Step 3: Now just hold both of the loop ends of each string together, like so.


Step 4: Those both of those ends in a knot, like so. You'll end up with two loops and a knot on one end, and 4 pieces of loose hemp at the other.

Step 5: Now, place it down so you have the two of the four end strings that are shorter in the middle, and the two long ones going out to the side. (tip: to help keep it stable, either tack or tape down the end with the knots, so it won't move around on you).


Step 6: This is the tricky part. Fold ONE of the two longer ends across the two shorter strings in the middle, like so. In this case, I chose to fold the left side over.


Step 7: What you do now, is fold the longer piece of string that is on the RIGHT over the piece of string that you folded across in the last step, like so.


Step 8: What you do now, is fold the piece of string that you just folded in the last step UNDER the two strings in the middle, and up through the hold that the left piece of long string made, and pull it through. Understanding this part is critical.


Step 9: Now that you have done that, repeat the process, only using the OPPOSITE side you started with each time. For instance, I just started by folding the left side over, and so on. Now, you will start by folding the right side over the middle, instead of left, and just repeat the process. Just make it simple: Fold one side over the middle across-ways. Place the OTHER piece of string, (in this case the left) over the one you just folded across the middle. Go under the middle strings and up through the hole! then pull tight!


Note: These directions were for the traditional flat style weaving. To do the spiral staircase style, just keep doing the folding actions with the long strings on the same side each time, instead of switching to the opposite side each time. Enjoy.

if you're interested in checking out some of my work, I created a thread on it simply called "Hempwork"

I hope this was helpful to anyone who wanted to learn how to do hempwork. if you have any questions just ask. enjoy.

 

incorporated glass pieces or any type of bead/pendant is simple. Depending on how the loop is on the glass piece, i just put it through the the two shorter strings in the middle, and just continue the process.what also works real well is putting 3 of the 4 strings through the loop on the bead/pendant, so there is one that is free. you can really do it any way you want though.

 

its really simple once you get the hang of it