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

Fun with chinese Knotting-(Berkeiey)

D1006-54 -- 4225 --

01 Resurg of Ch Knot (4-26)FIN_ 10/16/06 7:17 PM Page 23

Fun with chinese Knotting-(Berkeiey)

D1006-54 -- 4225 --

01 Resurg of Ch Knot (4-26)FIN_ 10/16/06 7:16 PM Page 23

FORMATION SKILLS 23

TB

Embellishing Knot Formations

In addition to considering factors such as the color scheme, format and choice of

cords during the initial stages of designing a knot formation, it is always a good idea

to explore the possibility of incorporating small objects in the design. Such orna-

ments may include small hanging objects, beads, tassels, thread bindings and frames.

Hanging objects

Apart from jade or other semiprecious stones, old coins, cloth sachets, porcelain

vases, porcelain and wooden sculptures, medallions and other trinkets can be used to

grace a knot formation. Care must be taken, however, to ensure that the color, texture

and size of the hanging object blend well with the knot formation and that it is of an

appropriate size. For example, in diagram 44, the hanging ornament blends perfectly

with the knot formation in terms of color, shape and size. It also fits snugly into the

lower portion of the knot formation.

Beads

Jade, wood, porcelain, glass, metal and plastic beads, even love beans or fruit cores,

can inject life into a knotted arrangement, their different colors, shapes, sizes and

brightness adding variations and highlights. In diagram 45, green and blue beads

have been added by simply pulling the cord ends through the beads at the top and

bottom of the main knot, with the cords then knotted to hold them in place. Beads

are also effective inserted in the outer loops of a knot, as shown in diagram 46.

See project 134 on page 160 for instructions on

making this knot formation.

44

45

46

47 48