Fun with chinese Knotting-(Berkeiey)
D1006-54 -- 4255 --03 Basic Knots (55-69)FIN_ 10/18/06 5:10 PM Page 66
Fun with chinese Knotting-(Berkeiey)
D1006-54 -- 4255 --03 Basic Knots (55-69)FIN_ 10/18/06 5:57 PM Page 66
66 ROUND BROCADE KNOT
Round Brocade Knot
This knot takes its inspiration from the round patterns often seen on Chinese bro-
cade. A close look at the roundels reveals that they are often abstract representations
of auspicious animals or characters: the dragon, the crane, the character for longevi-
ty, and the like. The fact that they are worked into a round pattern further enhances
the message of good fortune, because the circle represents completeness to the
Chinese.Tying
In this knot, the outer loops are bound together by passing through each other’s cen-
ters in a circular pattern. Cord A makes two horizontal passes, going under everything
right to left, and over everything left to right. Then it travels up under everything to
pass through the top loop, and down over everything to take its final position. Cord
B’s travels will be easier to grasp if you imagine the portion that comes straight down
from the top loop is the knot’s spine. After going up through the inner loops on the
left, cord B passes through the knot twice horizontally. On each pass, when it travels
left to right, it goes over everything except the spine and the cords crossing over and
under the spine. When it travels right to left, it passes under every cord except the last
two – the ones that it came over to begin the pass, thus returning to its origin.Tips
- Notice that cord A forms the top loop and the two on the right, while cord B forms
the two on the left, and that the cords always move away from the top of the knot
when they form a loop. - Eventually, for some of the creative applications in the back of this book, you will
have to learn to tie this knot using only one mobile cord end. Follow step 7 diagram
very carefully.
AB
B A1
2B3A