How to tie a reef knot in Stretch Magic elastic

[@pamelajeanunlimited]

Thank you! Everyone has been requesting bracelets and I've had trouble tying them off. ❤

[@Julesasaurus]

This was so helpful! Finally got around to fixing a beaded bracelet and wanted to make sure I got the right knot - this was perfect!

[@melissabirdednie3958]

Thank you so much, I have so much trouble with knots... I'm a very cack handed and awkward leftie 😁🤦‍♀️ xx

[@TheBeadShopNottinghamLimited]

Aw, glad we could help - it does just take a little practice, reef knots are great, I'm sure you'll use them for lots of different things too!

[@them0le127]

no matter how many times I tie this knot the elastic slips apart, I genuinely have no idea what I'm doing wrong I'm copying the video step for step

[@TheBeadShopNottinghamLimited]

Hi, there's a few things that might help, giving the elastic a really good stretch, even before threading on your beads. There's a little bit of elasticity that doesn't spring back when elastic is new, this will then help with the knot too. Don't worry about pulling the knot really tight (as long as you're not pulling the bracelet tight too you'll be fine). Occasionally I get stubborn knot that doesn't want to stay tight and that's when I use the tip mentioned at the end of the video and I add a tiny dab of glue and that helps hold everything in place. I hope that's helpful.

[@DeltaXMusic]

thank uuuu

[@dakotap3008]

I’ve followed your directions to a T and the knot won’t hold the Stretch Magic labeled, 1mm/.039” diameter. Have you used this size? Can you tell me what other knot might work?

[@TheBeadShopNottinghamLimited]

A surgeons knot, as mentioned below is similar and might hold better for you. It's the same as a reef knot, but on the second knot wrap around twice. Alternatively on thicker stretch magic elastic you could also use a crimp tube (size 3 should work), though you have to be very careful not to over squash the crimp as it can damage the elastic. I have had success using knots and crimps on stretch magic before. I hope this helps.

[@dakotap3008]

Thank you for your advice.

[@carissavogt8532]

Is this knot better than a surgeons knot?

[@TheBeadShopNottinghamLimited]

The surgeons knot is pretty much the same, but you wrap the right end around twice. So actually the surgeons knot is slightly better, but I don't notice a huge amount of difference in how they hold.

[@mikeymurphy446]

This doesn’t work with the 1.5 mm

[@TheBeadShopNottinghamLimited]

Hello! We find this technique works with all Stretch Magic - the principle remains the same no matter how thick the elastic. Have you tried giving the section you are knotting a gentle stretch before you begin? This makes the elastic more supple and should help.

[@StruckANerve426]

I’m having the same problem with the 1.5. No matter how tight I cinch it the knot slides apart.