Decorative Fusion Knots Read online

  2. Hook the running ends counterclockwise over the upper bight’s crook.

  3. Hook the upper bight counterclockwise over the lower bight’s crook.

  4. Hook the lower bight counterclockwise over the running end’s crook.

  5. Tuck the bight on the top under and through the crook to the left,…

  6. …then over and under the doubled ropes below it.

  7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for the running ends…

  8. …to the left.

  9. Then repeat Steps 5 and 6 again, for the bight…

  10. …on the bottom.

  11. Flip the knot over. Then firm it up by pulling on the loose ends.

  12. Fold the running ends over in front of the upper bight.

  13. Fold the upper bight over in front of the lower bight.

  14. Insert the lower bight through the crook of the running ends.

  15. Pull on the loose ends until firm, and then cut them off at their bases.

  16. While bracing the knot, push your thumbs into its center,…

  17. …pulling up the knot’s sides as you do.

  18. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Panel Knot

  The Panel Knot is a lovely knot on its own. This said, it is also a tying technique that can be incorporated into a variety of other knots, creating larger more elaborate configurations.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Drop a counterclockwise loop about three inches long.

  2. Tuck the right running end down to create a bight.

  3. Weave the running end up under, over, and under the ropes above.

  4. Weave the running end down alongside itself.

  5. Weave the running end up under, over, under,…

  6. …over, and under the ropes above.

  7. Repeat Step 4.

  8. Then weave the running end up under, over, under,…

  9. …over, under, over, and under the ropes above.

  10. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Longhorn Knot

  Evocative of the head and horns of Texas cattle, the Longhorn Knot is a strikingly attractive tie. Beautiful on its own or as an element in a larger piece, its graceful shape makes it a great base for a collar or necklace.

  Knot Components: Panel Knot + Rotated Bights

  1. Make an Overhand Knot, the right running end weaving over the left.

  2. Tuck the left running end down to create a bight.

  3. Tuck the right running end down to create a second bight.

  4. Bight the left running end up, weaving it under, over, and under.

  5. Hook the right running end over and through the lower left bight.

  6. Now weave the right running end over, under, and over.

  7. Adjust the knot until the upper left and right bights stick out.

  8. Rotate the right bight, top over bottom, to create a loop.

  9. Insert the right running end through the back of the loop created.

  10. Rotate the left bight, bottom over top, to create a second loop.

  11. Insert the left running end through the front of the second loop created.

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

  Section 4

  Strange Twists and Turns

  Pendant Knot

  Born of the desire to create a simple yet elegant accessory to a necklace, the Pendant Knot has more than proven its worth. Several knots, in fact, owe at least part of their beauty to this tying technique.

  Knot Components: Circled Opposing Loops

  1. Make a clockwise loop (bottom rope over top).

  2. Hook the ascending running end left, creating a “pretzel.”

  3. Then circle it around the back of the loop and behind itself, exiting in front.

  4. Circle the other end around the front of the loop and over itself, exiting in back.

  5. Cross the left running end over the right.

  6. Repeat Step 3.

  7. Repeat Step 4.

  8. Repeat Step 5.

  9. Finish the piece by tucking the left running end under the loop.

  10. Adjust the knot until firm. Flip it over to see the pendant.

  Challenge Knot

  The Challenge Knot’s name is derived from the focus that must be undertaken during its creation. More to the point, tying the knot will test both patience and ability. Still, its beauty makes the challenge of its formation well worth it.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Flip the crossed running ends up and over the top of the loop.

  3. Cross the left running end over the right, and…

  4.…tuck it under the loop. This will create a left and right loop.

  5. Slide the left loop over the right loop.

  6. Distend the left and right loops, creating a figure eight between them.

  7. Rotate the left loop clockwise (bottom rope over top).

  8. Rotate the right loop clockwise (top rope over bottom).

  9. Now weave the left running end under...

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

  11. Weave the right running end over, under, over, and…

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

  Basket Weave Knot

  The Basket Weave Knot is deceivingly similar in appearance to the Prosperity Knot, with two major exceptions, it’s easier to tie and adjust. My hope is that you’ll find the knot an elegant addition to your growing knowledge of rectangular flat knots.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Create an Overhand Knot and drop it down about three inches.

  3. Lift the running ends and pull the loops created apart.

  4. Rotate both loops (left rope over right).

  5. Tuck the left loop under the right.

  6. Weave the right running end over…

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

  8. Then weave the left running end under, over, under,…

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

  10. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Brigid’s Knot

  Christians believe Brigid of Kildare a saint. Pagans believe her a goddess. Both exalt her beauty and immeasurable kindness. Brigid’s Knot represents this legendary woman by intertwining her symbol (a woven cross) with an open heart.

  Knot Components: Basket Weave Knot + Circled Opposing Loops + Keyhole Weave

  1. Drop a two inch counterclockwise loop (left rope over right).

  2. Circle the running end around the rope, and through the loop.

  3. One inch from the first loop, drop a second equal sized clockwise loop.

  4. Circle the running end around the rope, and through the loop.

  5. Cross the right running end over the left.

  6. Weave the other running end over and through the loop on the right.

  7. Weave the rope on the left under and through the loop on the left.

  8. Cross the right loop over the left.

  9. Weave the left running end over, under, and over the ropes below it.

  10. Weave the right running end under, over, and…

  11. …under the ropes below it.

  12. Adjust the knot until firm. Flip it around to see the cross and heart.

  Handbasket Knot

  Possessing the same silhouette as the Cloud Knot, the Handbasket Knot nevertheless stands alone. Based upon a Celtic design I saw drawn on a historic motif, the knot has since been incorporated into multiple fusion knots.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Rotate the loop counterclockwise, creating a twist.

  3. Rotate the twist up into the center of the loop above.

  4. Tuck the l
eft running end underneath the left edge of the loop.

  5. Hook the right running end down, over the right edge of the loop…

  6. … under-under, and over the left edge of the loop.

  7. Hook the left running end down over, under, over, under,…

  8. …over, under, and over the ropes below it horizontally.

  9. Carefully adjust the knot,…

  10. …stretching the top loop to generate the look of a handbasket.

  Section 5

  Deconstructing the Trinity

  Trinity Knot

  The Trinity Knot can be found on Celtic motifs throughout the British Isles. The design was also used by ancient Germans and Romans. Generally speaking, it’s a symbol of things and persons that are threefold.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Make three counterclockwise loops (right ropes over left).

  2. Cross the left running end over the right.

  3. Then insert it up through the back of the right loop…

  4. ..and across the back of the middle loop.

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

  6. …then over, under, and over the ropes above it, at a diagonal.

  Hammer Knot

  During the era of the Vikings, miniature Thor’s hammers were worn around the neck for good luck. The Hammer Knot resurrects this historic symbol, allowing the creation of a similarly shaped amulet made of rope.

  Knot Components: Trinity Knot + Snake Weave + Circled Opposing Loops

  1. Begin by tying a Trinity Knot.

  2. Stretch the bottom loop of the Trinity Knot out about two inches.

  3. Reverse the over under tuck of the left and right running ends.

  4. Circle the right running end around the loop and over itself.

  5. Take the left running end and…

  6.…circle it around the loop, under itself, and…

  7. …over the other running end.

  8. Continue forward and tuck the running end under the loop.

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

  10. Drop the rope on the right down across the bottom loop.

  11. Weave the rope on the left under, over, and…

  12. … under the ropes below it. Then carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Triple Goddess Knot

  The triple goddess symbol of the waxing, full, and waning moon is believed to represent the characteristics of maiden, mother, and crone. The Triple Goddess Knot equally embodies these three stages of a woman’s life.

  Knot Components: Trinity Knot + Ring of Coins

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

  2. Then make a second counterclockwise loop to the right of the first.

  3. Cross the right running end over the left.

  4. Hook the rope on the right up through the back of the right loop.

  5. Hook the rope on the left up through the front of the left loop.

  6. Weave the rope on the left under, over, and…

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

  8. Weave the rope on the right under the top left rope, and over…

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

  10. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Cupcake Knot

  I struggled for a long time over a name for this knot, finally settling on Cupcake Knot on account, well…it looks like a cupcake. So be it your birthday or simply time for a treat, this attractive morsel is yours for the tying.

  Knot Components: Trinity Knot + Ring of Coins

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

  2. Then make a second counterclockwise loop to the right of the first.

  3. Cross the left running end over the right.

  4. Flip the piece upside down.

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

  6. Now cross the right running end over the left.

  7. Hook and weave the rope on the right up and through…

  8.…the loop on the right, then back over and under the ropes above it.

  9. Now hook the other rope under the rope dangling in the back.

  10. Then hook it right weaving it over, under, over,…

  11. …under, over, and…

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

  Pentaradial Knot

  The Pentaradial Knot was named on account of its similarity to the configuration of a bat star—a marine animal found along the Pacific coast of North America. Both the bat star and the knot are arranged along five rays of symmetry.

  Knot Components: Trinity Knot + Basket Weave Knot

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

  2. Then make a second counterclockwise loop to the right of the first.

  3. Cross the left running end over the right and bight it through the…

  4. …back of the right loop. Do the same in reverse with the other rope end.

  5. Flip the piece upside down.

  6. Insert the left bight through the back of the right bight.

  7. Wrap the right running end over and through its adjacent loop.

  8. Drop the running end behind the first bight and over the second.

  9. Tuck the first bight down under the far right edge of the second.

  10. Wrap the left running end over and through its adjacent loop.

  11. Weave the running end over, under,…

  12. …over, and under the ropes below it. Adjust the knot until firm.

  Celtic Tree of Life Knot

  The Celtic tree of life symbolizes strength, longevity, and wisdom. It marks the connection between earth, the spirit world, and the universe. Often portrayed in illustration, it’s rarely if ever shown in rope…until now.

  Knot Components: Trinity Knot + Ring of Coins + Handbasket Knot

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

  2. Then make a second counterclockwise loop to the right of the first.

  3. Cross the left running end over the right.

  4. Flip the piece upside down.

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

  6. Weave the right running end up under, over, and under the ropes above.

  7. Hook the left running end over and through the lower right loop.

  8. Weave the left running end up over, under, and over the ropes above.

  9. Hook the right running end under, overover, and under the ropes.

  10. Hook the left running end behind, over, and under the ropes…

  11. …below it at a diagonal. Then over, under…

  12. …over, and under the ropes ahead. Adjust the knot until firm.

  Pagoda Knot

  A pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves. Common throughout eastern Asia, most pagodas were built to serve a religious function. The Pagoda Knot was created in admiration of this sacred architecture.

  Knot Components: Trinity Knot + Opposing Weaves

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

  2. Make a second counterclockwise loop above the first.

  3. Then a third loop to the right…

  4. …and a fourth below.

  5. Cross the left running end over the right.

  6. Hook the rope on the right up through the back of the right loop.