Bunching in Alphas
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
Hi all,I'm trying to master alpha patterns, but I have noticed that my bracelets "bunch up" in sections that have frequent color changes. Any tips on how to prevent this? Thanks! |
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awesomelgk
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by awesomelgk
Do you use the flat alpha technique @knotmyname ?
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
@awesomelgk I'm not sure! I know that to make the alphas straight, you should do a fk/bk and bk/fk at the beginning and end of a row. Is that part of the flat alpha technique, or it something else?Thanks for answering so quickly! |
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knottahti
Moderator
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4 years, 8 months ago by knottahti
the flats alpha technique involves “locking in” color changes so they don’t bunch up, just like you are describing!! Masha Knots (@Racoon on braceletbook) has great tutorials for this technique 😊
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knottahti
Moderator
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4 years, 8 months ago by knottahti
her videos are both on beaceletbook and on youtube!
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
@knottahti Thank you! I will check those out.
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
So, I have watched the flat alpha video that Masha Knots posted. So, I am following that technique, but I'm still getting the bunching. Could it because I'm pulling on the knots too tightly?
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BaileyBug
Professional
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4 years, 8 months ago by BaileyBug
most likely a tension issue. when switching colors you’re probably tying the knots tighter than other parts of the bracelet. it’ll just take practice to perfect and find the right amount of pulling to keep it consistent. it also may be the string you're using for the colors is thinner than the rest of the bracelet if youre using different brands or types of thread/floss
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
@BaileyBug I definitely pull super tightly when I do a color switch. I find that if I don't pull tightly, I can see the color of the previous thread through the bracelet. In your opinion, is a looser tension better for alphas? Thanks for your input! |
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BaileyBug
Professional
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4 years, 8 months ago by BaileyBug
Yes i think looser should be good. you can try adjusting the knot with your fingernail a little bit to push and move it a bit to not be able to see the other color string as much. i don’t personally make alphas very much, so i haven’t had much practice with different techniques and knotting tensions, but these are tips i’ve seen other people give.
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knottahti
Moderator
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4 years, 8 months ago by knottahti
the main problem that arises with too much tension in alphas is not necessarily
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knottahti
Moderator
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4 years, 8 months ago by knottahti
with the knots themselves but when you have a color that goes across the back of the bracelet and you use it again, try to keep it looseish so that it does not cinch up the rest of the knots
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awesomelgk
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by awesomelgk
@knotmyname you could also do the first half of the knot, make sure it is right at the top of the base string, and once you slide it up there you can do the second half.
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
@knottahti That makes sense. I'll try to not pull so tightly on the back threads. Thanks!
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knottahti
Moderator
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4 years, 8 months ago by knottahti
@knotmyname no problem 😁
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knotmyname
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by knotmyname
@knottahti I'm working on a new bracelet, and I've been trying your technique of not pulling too tightly on the back strings. It's working, the bracelet is not bunching too much at all! Thanks again! 😊 👍
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knottahti
Moderator
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4 years, 8 months ago by knottahti
@knotmyname that's fantastic!! i'm glad to have been of help 😊
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mmalone
Bracelet King
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4 years, 8 months ago by mmalone
this happens to me too. i recommend making your knots looser and then when both knots have been made, pulling them up with the base string and your finger. i hope that helps 🙂
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AwesomeGrl
Bracelet King
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4 years, 7 months ago by AwesomeGrl
So if you still need this, it's definitely because of pulling too tight. I knot really tightly so this was happening to me too, but I learned not to pull too tight, and it really helped. The keychain in my photos was how it looked after I knotted less tight, and it REALLY helped a lot✨If you still needed this, hope it helped!✨ |
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AwesomeGrl
Bracelet King
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4 years, 7 months ago by AwesomeGrl
And after doing this technique my alphas are really getting better, even better then the keychain, and honestly I'm much more proud of them
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