Fun with Chinese Knotting - Making Your Own Fashion Accessories & Accents

Fun with chinese Knotting (Berkeiey)

01 Resurg of Ch Knot (4-26)FIN_ 11/16/06 10:48 AM Page 12

Knotting two cords separately

Knotting two cords as one not only produces a body comprising two different colors,

but also allows one cord to be tied separately to form outer and side loops. This fur-

ther enhances the combination of colors. For example, diagram 4 shows a butterfly

knot tied in this way. The body of the knot was tied by knotting two cords as one.

Then, as the outer loops were reached, one of the cords was tightened. The other cord

was separated and tied into a butterfly wing. Another example is shown as a clover-

leaf knot in diagram 5. When the outer loop was reached, one cord was tightened

while the other one was pulled longer. Notice that the knot body and outer loops are

of different colors as are the top outer loop and the outer loops on both sides.

Knotting Multiple Cords

The technique of knotting with multiple cords is similar to that of knotting two cords.

But since more cords are involved, there is much more opportunity for experiment

and variation. Added to this are the factors of cord colors and textures. The number

of possible combinations that can be achieved is enormous.

Knotting multiple cords as one

The cords can get easily tangled up when knotting multiple cords as one. However,

with all the different cord colors and textures involved, the entanglement might pro-

duce a unique design, much like the knot shown in diagram 6. However, if you want

the end result to be like that illustrated in diagram 7, where all the different colors are

lined up properly, a technique similar to that of knotting two cords as one should be

The thoughtful use of single, double or multiple

cord knotting techniques, either tied as a single

cord or as separate cords, can give rise to a great

deal of color and stylistic variation.

See project 125, page 155, for instructions on

making the knot formation above.

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12 BASIC SKILLS

TB