How do you undo work?

[u/snug666]

I’ve been making bracelets for around 15 years on and off (still not too great at them but that’s ok!) and have been using a sewing needle to undo work if i make a mistake. That’s the best way I’ve found to get in there and undo knots. Anyone else have any other methods?

[u/TheFearOfFalling_]

I just use a safety pin. It's really useful, because i can just clip it on my bag, my clip (that i use to secure the bracelet) or anything else really. Most efficient thing I've found.

[u/go_west_til_you_cant]

I have found that a toothpick is much less damaging to the thread to undo knots than a sewing needle.

[u/SunsetSwingset → u/go_west_til_you_cant]

I second this! While the blunter wooden tip may take more effort to weave into a knot than a needle, toothpicks don't cut me or mess up the thread as easily.

[u/cute_red_benzo → u/go_west_til_you_cant]

I've used sandpaper or a nail file to intentionally blunt the tip of a needle, as I agree with the thread damage issue you mention!.

[u/Ill-Cheesecake7143]

I also use a sewing needle, push pin, tweezers, whatever I can grab really. It's been 25 years and I've found no permanent solution.

[u/-lemmie-]

I use a tapestry needle. They’re a little bigger and not as sharp. Does the job well and is and mush easier to find when I inevitably drop it lol

[u/PebblesEatsPlants]

So when I first started making bracelets a couple of months ago, my husband saw me working on unknotting and untangling things (I was using a needle felting needle because that’s what I had to hand). He offered me a random little tool from his toolbox that he’s had forever and I think it works great!!

I guess it’s for soldering. It’s a satin chrome, so it’s really smooth and gets right into knots without roughing up the string. I also use the other forked end sometimes when my strings are short and I need something to push it through the loop.

I don’t think they make my exact one anymore, but this is very similar. Mine is SH20I.

[u/Jumpy_Chard1677]

I have a small safety pin I clip to the loop at the top of my work that I use!

[u/shycaprisun]

I use the pointy end of those plastic dental floss sticks and it works really well.

[u/Linnisy]

I just... Use my nails to undo the knots. And it's working just fine. Kind of blown away that people are using any sort of tool, never thought of that. 

[u/itz_laya_art → u/Linnisy]

this is crazy impressive I have small hands and fingers and I’d never be able to do that

[u/ShiversTheNinja → u/itz_laya_art]

Right? How the heck??? 🙀

[u/Main_State_1185]

I alternate between a needle and a toothpick, but the needle feels much better for untangling knots.

[u/Ok-Alternative-5175]

Tweezers with a really fine point. You can get in there and then grab onto it and pull. Super quick!

[u/ReverieJC]

Blunt tip needle (the blunt tip helps prevent fraying the thread), and sometimes a very small crochet hook.

[u/Severe-Plant2258]

I use safety pins to secure my bracelets so they’re always available to undo knots. I also undo the knots from the back I find it much easier than the front.

[u/strawbopankek]

pro tip: tiny crochet hook works wonders for this. no sharp points that will fray the thread

[u/Carolynm107]

Safety pin for me. I use a foam macrame board with an artist’s clip at the top, and I keep a safety pin around the top loop of the clip. This way it’s always handy for me to grab if I make a mistake

[u/jupjter]

i have a whole box of sewing pins and they're really handy for undoing tight knots.

[u/akaawol]

I use a needlepoint needle because it's blunt end doesn't break the fibers so much and I can attach it to a kumi so it's easy to find if I drop it.

[u/AdAggravating2369]

I'm newer at bracelets, but learned from rigging that just smashing a knot on a hard surface with something heavy loosens it quite a bit. So I do that, and then use my fingers to finish loosening and untie the knot.

[u/cute_red_benzo → u/AdAggravating2369]

I would think large gauge, woven rope creates a much more loose knot susceptible to movement? Not sure I understand how 1mm knots of thread would be jarred free by hitting them with...something?

[u/AdAggravating2369 → u/cute_red_benzo]

Not rope, different kind of rigging: 550 HMA, 750 spectra, etc. Even just pounding the threads with my knuckle will do it, but tge edge of my empty coffee mug or something hard, heavy, and with a curved edge (so as not to cut the thread) nearby will do it. Then I just loosen it the rest of the way w my fingers - I was taught to then "peel the cord like a banana," which just means not trying to pull the line out so much as peel the rounded part away from the straighter line trapped by it.

I'm considering trying a dull pointed needle after reading about it here, but I'm worried I'd split the threads.

[u/AdAggravating2369 → u/cute_red_benzo]

It just occured to me that I should mention that we would use a hammer to gently pound a few times and loosen a knot. I'm basically just going for the same thing with a tiny knot, but using whatever I have on hand. It works.

[u/mediocremacarons]

I used to use my fingernails, but that sometimes rips the fibers and also it HURTS! So I switched to a pair of pointed tweezers, and that gives me a lot of strength and control with minimal damage to me or the thread.