Decorative Fusion Knots Read online

  7. Weave the left loop over the running end and under the right loop.

  8. Weave the left running end under the outer edge of the left loop,…

  9. …and then over, under, over, and…

  10. … under the ropes below it at a diagonal. Adjust the knot until firm.

  Wide Lanyard Knot

  The Wide Lanyard Knot looks like a Prosperity Knot turned on its side. A historical knot that has been around since at least the 19th century, it is also the fusion of the Double Coin Knot and Panel Knot.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Begin by tying a Double Coin Knot.

  2. Then bight the right running end back and beside itself.

  3. Bight the left running end back and beside itself as well.

  4. Pull out and split the running ends apart from one another.

  5. Hook the left running end down, diagonally across the knot.

  6. Drop the right running end down, over the left.

  7. Continue forward, weaving the running end under,…

  8. …over, under, and over the ropes below it at a diagonal.

  9. Weave the other running end over, under, over, and…

  10. …under the rope below it at a diagonal. Adjust the knot until firm.

  Mayan Temple Knot

  Archaeological evidence suggests the ancient Mayans first began building their stepped temples about 3,000 years ago. The Mayan Temple Knot, on the other hand, is new to the world; still I hope it lasts just as long.

  Knot Components: Wide Lanyard Knot + Keyhole Weave

  1. Begin by tying a Double Coin Knot.

  2. Then bight the right running end back and beside itself.

  3. Bight the left running end back and beside itself as well.

  4. Circle the right running end forward around the top loop.

  5. Circle the left running end back around the top loop.

  6. Continue weaving the left running end over and under the ropes…

  7. …below it. Then over, under, and over the ropes at a diagonal.

  8. Weave the right running end under and over the ropes below it.

  9. Then under, over, and…

  10. …under the ropes below it at a diagonal. Adjust the knot until firm.

  River Knot

  The River Knot is an expansion of the Double Coin Knot that results in the appearance of the sun rising over a rippling river. Valued for its riparian beauty and graceful weaves, this knot is one of my personal favorites.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Begin by tying a Double Coin Knot.

  2. Make a counterclockwise P with the right running end.

  3. Tuck the right running end through the right Double Coin Knot loop.

  4. Make a clockwise P with the left running end.

  5. Tuck the left running end through the left Double Coin Knot loop.

  6. Weave the left running end under, over, and…

  7. …under the ropes above it.

  8. Hook the running end to the right and continue under, over, and under.

  9. Now weave the right running end under the rope to its left,…

  10. …then over, under, and over the ropes above it.

  11. Hook the running end to the left and continue over, under, and over.

  12. Adjust the knot until it takes on its distinctive appearance.

  Ring of Coins

  The Ring of Coins is a compound knot, a string of knots tied together in series or a cluster. Knots brought together in such a way create complex configurations that have been treasured and admired for centuries.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Begin by tying a Double Coin Knot.

  2. Untuck the right running end.

  3. Weave the running end through the back of the right loop,…

  4. …then over and under the ropes to the right. Leave a three inch loop.

  5. Make a clockwise loop over the right edge of the three inch loop.

  6. Insert the right running end through the front of the small loop…

  7. …then weave it under, over, and under the ropes below it.

  8. Now, untuck the left running end.

  9. Weave the running end through the front of the left loop,…

  10. …then under and over the ropes to the left. Leave a three inch loop.

  11. Make a clockwise loop under the left edge of the three inch loop.

  12. Insert the left running through the back of the small loop,…

  13. …then weave it over, under, and over the ropes below it.

  14. Untuck the right running end.

  15. Untuck the left running end.

  16. Cross the right running end over the left.

  17. Insert the left running end through the back of the lower right loop.

  18. Hook the running end up, weaving it over and under the ropes to the left.

  19. Insert the right running end through the front of the lower left loop.

  20. Hook the running end up, weaving it under and over the ropes to the right.

  21. Cross the right running end over the left.

  22. Then weave it under and over the ropes below it at a diagonal.

  23. Weave the other running end over and under the ropes below it at a diagonal.

  24. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Section 2

  Opening the Box

  Box Knot

  The Box Knot is arguably the simplest way to create a square or “box” formation with rope. The base for multiple other knots, it is also attractive on its own—its simplicity stealing nothing of its beauty.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Make a counterclockwise loop (right rope over left).

  2. Tuck the rope on the right up behind the loop at a diagonal.

  3. Hook the rope on the lower left up, over, under, and over the ropes above it.

  4. Then drop it down through the back of the right loop.

  5. Drop the rope on the left down through the front of the left loop.

  6. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Jolly Roger Knot

  Jolly Roger pirate flags were most commonly skull and crossbones, but in truth there were several different pirate flags. The Jolly Roger Knot emulates one that displayed a skull wearing a tri-cornered hat.

  Knot Components: Box Knot + Double Coin Knot + Rotated Loops

  1. Begin by tying a Box Knot.

  2. Then stretch the left and right loops out about one inch.

  3. Below the Box Knot tie a Double Coin Knot in reverse. Using…

  4. …a counterclockwise P and dropping the running end behind it.

  5. Flip the piece upside down.

  6. Rotate the left loop, top over bottom.

  7. Insert the left running end through the back of the left loop.

  8. Rotate the right loop, bottom over top.

  9. Insert the right running end through the front of the right loop.

  10. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Olias Knot

  The Olias Knot was inspired by the symbol shown on the cover art of Jon Anderson’s progressive rock concept album, Olias of Sunhillow. The symbol and the knot represent the unity between the earthly and the divine.

  Knot Components: Box Knot + Opposing Weaves

  1. Begin with Step 3 of the Box Knot.

  2. Drop the left and right running ends over and behind the loops.

  3. Weave the left running end over, under, and over the right ropes.

  4. Then weave the right running end over,…

  5. …under, over, and…

  6. …under the left ropes. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Harbin Knot

  Harbin Hot Springs is the place I go to when seeking rest and peace of mind. During one of my visits I was fiddling with rope and came up with the following knot. The knot’s name is an homage to the place of its creation.

  Knot Components: Box Knot + Ring of
Coins + Rotated Loops

  1. Begin with Step 3 of the Box Knot.

  2. Then stretch the left and right loops out about one inch.

  3. Drop the left and right running ends down over and behind the loops.

  4. Cross the left running end over the right.

  5. Rotate the right loop, top over bottom.

  6. Now insert the running end on the right over the right loop’s crook.

  7. Weave it forward under and over the ropes above it at a diagonal,…

  8. …then pinch it back to the right. Rotate the left loop, bottom over top.

  9. Insert the running end on the left up and over the left loop’s crook.

  10. Weave it forward over and under the ropes above it at a diagonal.

  11. Cross the right running end over all the ropes below it at a diagonal.

  12. Tuck it down above the crook of the lowest left loop.

  13. Cross the left running end over,…

  14. …under, and…

  15. …over the ropes below it at a diagonal.

  16. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Snake Weave

  As the name implies, the Snake Weave is evocative of two snakes slithering back and forth across one another. This action creates a decorative strap that can be as long, or as short, as you wish.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Begin with Step 3 of the Box Knot. Then turn it upside down.

  2. Stretch the bottom loop to the length you want the Snake Weave to be.

  3. Rotate the bottom loop (left rope over right).

  4. Then drop the rope on the right down across the bottom loop.

  5. Weave the rope on the left under, over, and under the ropes.

  6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 until you can no longer rotate loops.

  Dagger Knot

  Daggers are weapons used for thrusting and cutting. The Dagger Knot, however, is useless at both. A Snake Weave with a twist, the knot is purely decorative. But don’t let this fact keep you from taking a stab at it.

  Knot Components: Snake Weave + Circled Opposing Loops

  1. Begin with a Snake Weave about two inches long.

  2. Stretch the bottom loop of the Snake Weave out about four inches.

  3. Lift the rope on the right up and over the top of the loop.

  4. Circle the rope around the loop and over itself.

  5. Then tuck the rope on the left under the bottom of the loop.

  6. Circle the rope around the loop and under itself.

  7. Cross the rope on the left over the right, exiting under the loop.

  8. Lift the rope on the left up and over the top of the loop.

  9. Rotate the bottom loop (left rope over right).

  10. Begin “Snake Weaving” until…

  11. …you can no longer rotate loops.

  12. Adjust the knot until firm. Flip it around to see the dagger.

  Celtic Bar

  The Celtic Bar is a woven bight version of the Snake Weave, and makes a great wrist band, belt, luggage tag, or strap for a bag. Still, in all truth, your imagination is the only thing that limits its application.

  Knot Components: Snake Weave + Woven Bights

  1. Create a Y-configuration of two bights branching off a doubled rope.

  2. Cross the rope ends right over left.

  3. Drop both rope ends, then cross the left rope over the right.

  4. Drop both bights, thencross the left bight over the right.

  5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4,…

  6. …weaving back and forth…

  7. …until you can no longer…

  8. …cross the rope ends.

  9. Insert the rope end on the right into the front of its adjacent bight.

  10. Insert the rope end on the left into the back of its adjacent bight.

  11. Turn the bar onto its side.

  12. Now insert the left rope into the front…

  13. …of its opposing bight.

  14. Then insert the right rope into the front…

  15. …of its opposing bight.

  16. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Section 3

  Weaving and Tucking Bights

  Half Good Luck Knot

  A good friend of mine is fond of saying, “It’s called the Half Good Luck Knot because people need good luck to tie it.” With all due respect, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Elegantly designed, the knot slides together easily.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Make a pentaradial formation of four bights off two running ends.

  2. Cross the running ends over the first bight.

  3. Cross the first bight over the running ends and the second bight.

  4. Cross the second bight over the first and the third bight.

  5. Cross the third bight over the second and the fourth bight.

  6. Cross the fourth bight over the third bight and into the crook above it.

  Spiral Knot

  The Spiral Knot is essentially a Good Luck Knot with a twist! Utilizing three “arms” instead of five, the knot adds hooked turns and extra weaves to create its triple spiral configuration.

  Knot Components: Good Luck Knot + Hooked Turns + Extra Weaves

  1. Create a Y-configuration of two bights swirling off a doubled rope.

  2. Hook the lower bight counterclockwise and over the running ends.

  3. Hook the running ends counterclockwise and over the upper bight.

  4. Hook the upper bight counterclockwise, over the running ends, and…

  5. … into the crook of the lower bight.

  6. Now tighten the bights and rope ends loosely.

  7. Weave the lower bight counterclockwise, under, and…

  8. …through the crook of the swirl above it.

  9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for the upper bight, but use the swirl below it.

  10. Finally, weave the running ends counterclockwise, under, and…

  11. …through the crook of the swirl to its right.

  12. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Triskelion Knot

  A triskelion is a symbol consisting of three interlocking spirals or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry. The Triskelion Knot mimics this historic configuration.

  Knot Components: Good Luck Knot + Looped Ends

  1. Create a Y-configuration of two bights swirling off a doubled rope.

  2. Loop the running ends clockwise over themselves.

  3. Loop the right bight clockwise over it self.

  4. Then, loop the left bight clockwise over itself.

  5. Insert the tip of the right bight through the upper loop.

  6. Insert the tip of the left bight through the right loop.

  7. Insert the running ends through the left loop.

  8. Carefully adjust the knot until…

  9. …its running ends and bights sprout firmly from a threefold center.

  10. Flip the knot over to see the triskelion.

  Tea Cup Knot

  The Tea Cup Knot is a product of my explorations into three dimensional knots. Starting off as a variant of the Good Luck Knot, the knot’s finishing technique makes it so much more!

  Knot Components: Good Luck Knot + Hooked Turns + Extra Weaves + Shaping

  1. Create a Y-configuration of two bights swirling off a doubled rope.