When is a better time than summer to make some nautical knobs for a nice weathered furniture piece? I was given this coffee table and as I started to sand the paint (Anne Sloan Chalk Paint- Pure White) I loved how the wood grain started coming through!
I love heavily weathered/distressed furniture but it is WAY out of my comfort zone to distress this much. I am so glad I just kept sanding because the grain popping through is beautiful and gave this coffee table the perfect beachy look.
Next, came the hunt for nautical knobs.
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| via Anthropologie |
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| via Hobby Lobby |
I loved the look of both of these knobs but I needed the knobs like yesterday quickly and I’m super cheap. So I ran to Joann Fabrics, bought a roll of Jute with my 50% coupon and headed home to update our old kitchen cabinet knobs.
I did a Google search for sailor’s knots and found out the one I wanted was called the Monkey’s Fist. Then, I hopped over to You Tube and searched for how to tie a Monkey’s fist knot. Bingo! I found this video which is quite easy to understand and follow.
Took me quite a few practice runs until I decided because of the size of the knob and the diameter or the jute that I needed to add more loops to my knot. I followed the same basic directions but did 5 loops per side instead of 3. I also hot glued coils of jute on to the bottom of the knob to make it a circle before I started the knot to go around it (it kept slipping off the flat knob bottom). After the knot was completed and tightened I secured the tails with hot glue and I pumped some glue under different parts of the knot to keep it secure.
The end result! A success!
It may take a little practice but YOU can do this too!!! Do it! It’s not like I’m making you walk the plank or anything!
Ohhh that table, that type of furniture gets me nostalgic, in a good way 🙂
Love Natural fibers, specially in Summer.
* STYLE ID NET *
* Filomenas Closet *
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Vert cool – posting this idea on my Facebook page!
Thanks!
Stacey :o)
Wow I'm so impressed with your knots! They look just as great as the anthro or hobby lobby one!
Lovely! I love the table and I love the idea of this nautical knob. It might be great on my son's bedside table. I'm pinning this!
What a totally cool idea for the drawer knobs, and what a lovely finish you created on the furniture! Well done!
I absolutely love love love this table with your fabulous monkey fist knots! The are a perfect match!
What a great tutorial… with a video and all!
I'll be making these for sure!
Thanks for joining TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS and sharing your upscale and chic coffee table! I bet you are tickled every time you look at it!
That is totally awesome that you made those knobs yourself! I love it:) And I agree the heavy distressing on that piece is great!
Thanks Yvonne. The video was not made by me but I figured since it's the one I used I would share it here so that anyone who tries to make them a)doesn't have to hunt and b)so the monkey fist teacher gets their credit! 🙂 I didn't share a before pic of the table (i'm not sure I even took one but even though it is solid wood it looked cheap and it came to use covered with kids stickers. It was free and my husband scraped off the stickers…so I can't complain!
It does feel like walking the plank while you try to learn to do it though. Ha! I too watched a video and learned to do these knots for decorative purposes around the house. Love the idea of using it for a knob. Good work just learning to do it yourself. The table is perfect through and through. I'm following you now. Hope you'll stop over and visit me at Quirky Vistas too.
Liz
LOVE this!!! Well done!
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These are too cute!
Are you kidding me? This is AMAZING. I am 1. impressed you made it and 2. impressed how how well it goes with that beautiful table. You, my dear, have talent.
Those are awesome!!! I love them. Megan
ok so i tink friday we need to have a knot making class. 🙂 this is awesome! love the finish on the table and love the table legs, too!
Awesome knob, perfect for that table…and what a fun playmate it sounds like you get to have teaching knots on friday. sounds like a perfect coffee date!
Absolutely love this! Thanks for linking up at LLR 🙂 You'll be featured tonight!
This is sooooooooooooo cool! Im gonna do this! Great work:)
Sooooo clever and cool! I love it! Jo 🙂 x
Thanks Jo!
Wow! You did an amazing job! Love the knobs. Your newest follower from the Mes Préférés party! 🙂
Kathy @ http://lifeonlakeshoredrive.blogspot.com
Super cute knobs! Most definitely need to give this a try! And I love the coffee table too!
Love it!
– The Tablescaper
Hi! I just love these! What a great idea! I featured them on my blog today! http://missloviecreations.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-favorite-things-thursday-on-friday.html Come check it out and grab a featured button if you like!
Thank you, I can't wait to try making a few.
Your knobs are so cute and I've always wanted to make one of those monkey fists knots – thanks for the tutorial! I have this linked to my knobs and pulls post as well today, nice job!
How did you connect the knot to th dresser?
How did you connect the knot to th dresser?
Hi Robyn! I tied the knot around some old cabinet knobs I had. Any places that seemed to be slipping I secured with a dot of hot glue.
Love your blog and this project with jute – so fun and summery! Just wanted to let you know I featured you in my roundup of jute craft projects here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )
-Mel the Crafty Scientist
Those are adorable and they look just like the expensive store-bought ones! Great job! We would love it if you would link up to Make Along Monday. Our theme this month is Nautical DIY and these are perfect!
http://wp.me/p2A7Xe-po
There is an important trick to know making those drawer pulls. The cord you choose needs to be pulled REALLY tight so the core doesn't spin around. We make ours with a 108# cotton twisted cord so the knot is really visible and doesn't mush over time. If you can't get cord like ours, just adding a bit of a twist as you tie the knot can give the strands more definition.
Thanks for the tips!