Decorative Fusion Knots Read online

  Plafond Knot

  The Plafond Knot is named on account of its similarities to ceiling motifs in Chinese temples and palaces. A decorative way of holding two pieces of rope together, the knot also makes a striking rope medallion for a necklace.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Repeat Step 1, one inch below the first knot.

  3. Repeat Step 1, two inches below the second knot.

  4. Repeat Step 1 again, now one inch below the third knot.

  5. Flip the forth Overhand Knot up over the third Overhand Knot.

  6. Flip the top loop down, through the third and fourth knot centers.

  7. Hook the left running end up, over the rope above it, and…

  8. …through the second and first Overhand Knot centers.

  9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for the right running end, but hook it up and under.

  10. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Section 10

  Knots for Lovers

  True Lover’s Knot

  The True Lover’s Knot has been a symbol of love, friendship, and affection since antiquity. Still, many distinct knots go by the same name, so it’s not possible to say which one of them is, in fact, the truest of them all.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Make a counterclockwise Overhand Knot, bottom over top.

  2. Weave the opposing rope clockwise through the overhand loop,…

  3. …around the back of, and then through itself.

  4. Carefully split the left and right Overhand Knots. Then…

  5. …pinch the intertwining center loops…

  6. …and pull them apart until the knot is firm.

  Kinky Lover’s Knot

  An alternative way of tying the True Lover’s Knot, the Kinky Lover’s Knot and its intertwining figure eights contribute to its unique appearance. Unexpectedly stunning when tied firmly, this is my kind of knot!

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Make a clockwise P with the ascending rope on top of the loop created.

  2. Figure-eight the left running end through the back of the loop below.

  3. Insert the right running through the back of the loop below.

  4. Figure-eight the right running end through the upper left loop, around…

  5. …the standing end and through the front of the lower right loop created.

  6. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Clasped Hands Knot

  Holding hands is one of the subtlest forms of physical contact two people can engage in. The Clasped Hands Knot replicates this elemental connection with coils circling the base of the Snake Knot.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Make a clockwise P, hooking the running end to the right.

  2. Insert the running end through the front of the P.

  3. Hook the running end behind the leg of the P and through its front.

  4. Carefully slide the ropes down to create the base for the Snake Knot.

  5. Stretch the right loop out about one inch.

  6. Circle the right running end around the left, then through the right loop.

  7. Repeat Step 6.

  8. Turn the piece around 180 degrees so that the right side is on the left.

  9. Repeat Step 6 two times, passing the right running end through…

  10. …all the coils on the right. Carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Diamond Ring Knot

  Now that you’ve completed nearly all the knots for lovers you’re ready to tie the knot—the Diamond Ring Knot that is. A quick and clever combination of a triple Overhand Knot atop a dropped loop, the created ring “shines.”

  Knot Components: Overhand Knot + Circling

  1. Make a counterclockwise P, hooking the running end to the right.

  2. Insert the running end through the front of the P, creating an Overhand Knot.

  3. Now circle it around and through the front of the Overhand Knot.

  4. Allow a two inch loop to remain below.

  5. Circle the running end around the top of the bottom loop,…

  6. …over the top of the knot, and…

  7. …through the double loops on the right.

  8. Now circle it around and through the double loops, again.

  9. Circle the other running end around and through the triple loops.

  10. Then, carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Section 11

  Short and Long Sinnets

  Eternity Knot

  The Eternity Knot is an eye-catching way to decorate a rope or string. Suggestive of the Buddhist symbol for all-knowing wisdom, the knot can have spiritual significance as well.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Bight the descending running end back through the loop and tighten.

  3. Insert the running end into the bight created and tighten.

  4. Now rotate the lower loop, top over bottom, to create a figure eight.

  5. Insert the running end into the back of the lower figure eight loop.

  6. Then carefully adjust the knot until firm.

  Caterpillar Sinnet

  Also called the Chain Sinnet, the Caterpillar Sinnet is an elegant rope chain tied with one leading end. The finished product can be used to make bracelets, necklaces or to store a long length of rope.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Bight the running end, tuck it into the front of the loop and tighten.

  3. Repeat Step 2…

  4. …until you reach the desired length of your sinnet…

  5. …or reach the end of your rope.

  6. To finish the piece, insert the running end through the last loop and tighten.

  Zipper Sinnet

  I’ve been tying the Zipper Sinnet longer than any other knot in this book. First learned at camp when I was eight years old, the number of braclets I’ve made using this techniqe numbers into the hundreds.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

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

  2. Bight the right running end through the loop and tighten.

  3. Bight the left running end through the first bight, and…

  4. …tighten.

  5. Repeat Step 2 and…

  6. Steps 3 and 4, in series, again and again, until…

  7. …your reach the desired length of your sinnet. To finish the piece…

  8.…insert the running end into the last loop and…

  9. …tighten.

  10. Carefully adjust the sinnet until firm.

  Spinal Sinnet

  The Spinal Sinnet is fundamentally a chain of Eternity Knots. However, in contrast to its derivation, the sinnet takes on the look of a spinal column, with spinal cord and transverse processes represented.

  Knot Components: Eternity Knot + Caterpillar Sinnet

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

  2. Bight the descending running end through the loop and tighten.

  3. Insert the running end into the bight created and tighten.

  4. Rotate the lower loop, top over bottom, to create a figure eight.

  5. Bight the running end into the back of the lower figure eight loop.

  6. Repeat Step 3 through…

  7. ...Step 5 until you reach the desired length of your sinnet.

  8. To finish the piece, repeat Steps 3 and 4, then...

  9. …insert the running end through the back of the lower figure eight loop.

  10. Flip the sinnet over to view its spine.

  Bugle Cord

  Bugle Cords are used as elaborate leashes on bugles and trumpets, and as ornamentation for band uniforms. Although relatively simple to make, there are a few subtle but important moves at the beginning of the tie, so
take note.

  Knot Components: Historical Knot

  1. Fold the rope over on itself, drawing it down about twelve inches.

  2. About three inches below the bight, circle the short end under…

  3. …and around the long end, twice. The circles should move toward the bight.

  4. Insert the short end back through the loops created.

  5. Adjust the piece, and then flip it over. The long end should be on the bottom.

  6. Bight the long end…

  7. …and weave it under the first loop, over the second loop, and…

  8. …through the left most loop.

  9. Adjust the piece, and Repeat Steps 6 through 8…

  10. …until you reach the desired length of your cord.

  11. To finish the cord, insert the tip of the running end (long end)…

  12. …over, under, and through the loops above. Then pull tight.

  About the Author

  Born in 1972, JD grew up in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. He spent his mid-twenties living and working in the redwoods of the San Mateo Mountains, where he developed a fascination with rope ties and knots. Following years of reading, research and practice, he established the art of fusion knotting. JD has created over 100 instructional videos demonstrating his techniques. He lives and works in San Francisco, California.

  Decorative Fusion Knots

  by J.D. Lenzen

  eISBN : 978-1-931-16085-8

  Published by Green Candy Press

  www.greencandypress.com

  Copyright ©2011 by J.D. Lenzen. All rights

  reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review where appropriate credit is given; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, photocopying, recording, or other—without specific written permission from the publisher.

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