flat alpha tips
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CMDthreads
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CMDthreads
2 months ago by CMDthreads
hi! I've made a few alphas and am learning a lot, but i'm currently doing the one with lots of colorful skulls (168979) and it is not flat. It's super lumpy and bumpy! I'm using the same threads, i'm doing the flat alpha technique, and i'm trying to keep my tension the same (making the knots all not too tight or too lose).

Q: are there more alpha tips you have for me? I am wondering if the bumpiness has to do with the many colors of strings going all over the back?

Thanks!,
Newbie Christine
(also sorry if this isnt the right place to ask)
halokiwi
Moderator
halokiwi
2 months ago by halokiwi
This is the absolut right place to ask any of your bracelet or braceletbook related questions as long as you are new to braceletbook/ bracelets/ a specific technique.

My first advice before I start answering: if you mention a pattern number, you can put # in front of it, this way it will turn into a clickable link for users of the website (not the app): #168979

Now some advice I found useful:
- you can not only do the flat alpha technique after the colour switch but also before: you just include the leading string of the next colour in the last knot of the previous colour.
- this is especially useful when doing colour switches at edges. At the edge you can't put the leading string through the first or last knot of a row because otherwise it will stick out. If you do the flat alpha technique not only after, but also before, it is possible to use the flat alpha technique for colour switches at the edge (just don't do the part that would cause issues)
- try to keep the loose leading strings in the back as loose as possible. Don't pull them tight. If you still pulled them too tight, you can cut them in the end to release some tension
- for some patterns it makes sense to use two different leading strings of the same colour, one for the left, one for the right, if you otherwise have the issue that this leading string would span across the back a lot. This avoids unnecessary tension and helps preserve string.
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