How to Make Half Knots & Square Knots
Published on Nov 18, 2015
A step-by-step pictorial for making half knots and square knots.
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Making Half Knots & Square Knots
a Step-by-Step pictorial
A pictorial step-by-step in four parts:
- Half knots
- Square knots
- Adding beads
- Square knots for sliding closure
Part 1: Half knots: the first part to making square knots
Secure all of the cords at the top of your work surface,
and also secure the center cord(s) at the bottom.
Use tape, or pins if working on cork or foam board, to secure your cords.
Secure both ends of the center cord(s). This really helps keep your knots even.
Secure both ends of the center cord(s). This really helps keep your knots even.
Side note: Usually your cords will be attached to a finding, like this split ring. And,
Usually your cords will be the same colors -- at least for the tying cords (like this black cord being tied over the green cord).
But we're using 3 different
colors of cords (black, green & red) . . .
Start your half knot by bringing the STARTING cord OVER the center
And UNDER the right cord. (It makes a kind of "L" shape)
Half knots always start from the same SIDE. They also create a natural twist, adding dimension and texture to your work. You'll see this pretty soon.
Our STARTING side is on the left.
Our STARTING side is on the left.
Bring the right cord (red) UNDER the center cord,
UNDER the STARTING cord and THROUGH the loop
Pull cords snug. You have made one half knot.
STARTING cord (left side) OVER center,
and UNDER right cord.
Let's make a series of half knots.
Since the STARTING side doesn't change, you don't need to identify which cord is which.
The pattern is always:
Left OVER Center & UNDER Right;
Right UNDER Center, UNDER left and THROUGH the loop.
Since the STARTING side doesn't change, you don't need to identify which cord is which.
The pattern is always:
Left OVER Center & UNDER Right;
Right UNDER Center, UNDER left and THROUGH the loop.
Right cord UNDER center, UNDER STARTING cord,
and THROUGH the loop.
Pull snug, and you have finished
two half knots
Notice how the starting cord changes each time.
Repeat: left OVER center and UNDER right
The color of the starting cord alternates between black and red because we're using two different cords for tying.
Right cord UNDER center, UNDER left cord
and THROUGH the loop
Pull snug. Another half knot.
See the twist starting?
Repeat: Left OVER center, UNDER right
Right UNDER center, UNDER left
and THROUGH the loop
Pull snug for another half knot
Repeat: Left OVER center and UNDER right
Right UNDER center, UNDER left,
and THROUGH the loop
When it starts to twist . . .
go ahead and flip it around
You'll need to do this about every 4th or 5th knot
Here is your series of half knots
Cool, huh?
Part 2: Square knots
While a series of half knots will create a twist, a series of square knots will make a nice flat cord.
Before starting square knots
Identify your STARTING cord.
While half knots always start from the same side, square knots always start with the SAME CORD.
So the first part of the square knot starts with the cord on the left side, but the second part will have the starting cord on the right side.
In these photos the starting cord is the black one.
But remember that your TYING cords are usually the same, so it REALLY helps to identify which is the starting cord before you begin.
If the cords are fairly short (3 ft or less), tie a loose knot in one. If longer, bundle them with rubber bands and use a different color for the starting cord.
So the first part of the square knot starts with the cord on the left side, but the second part will have the starting cord on the right side.
In these photos the starting cord is the black one.
But remember that your TYING cords are usually the same, so it REALLY helps to identify which is the starting cord before you begin.
If the cords are fairly short (3 ft or less), tie a loose knot in one. If longer, bundle them with rubber bands and use a different color for the starting cord.
Start with one half knot:
Left cord OVER center and UNDER right
A square knot has two parts: it begins with one half knot, and is finished by tying a mirror image of those steps.
Begin with one half knot.
Begin with one half knot.
Right cord UNDER center, UNDER starting cord
and THROUGH the loop
Pull snug to finish the half knot.
To finish the square knot: STARTING cord (now on the right) goes OVER the center and UNDER the left cord.
To finish the square knot, you start with the same STARTING cord, which is now on the right.
This step is really a mirror image of the half knot.
This step is really a mirror image of the half knot.
Left cord goes UNDER center, UNDER starting cord,
and THROUGH the loop.
Square knot being pulled tighter
Square knot pulled snug.
Repeat: Left OVER center and UNDER right
Your square knot steps:
1. Left cord (starting) OVER center, UNDER right;
Right cord UNDER center, UNDER left (starting cord) and THROUGH the loop.
2. Right cord (starting) OVER center, UNDER left;
Left cord UNDER center, UNDER right (starting cord) and THROUGH the loop.
1. Left cord (starting) OVER center, UNDER right;
Right cord UNDER center, UNDER left (starting cord) and THROUGH the loop.
2. Right cord (starting) OVER center, UNDER left;
Left cord UNDER center, UNDER right (starting cord) and THROUGH the loop.
Right UNDER center, UNDER left and
THROUGH the loop.
Pull the half knot snug.
Half knot pulled snug;
ready to finish the square knot.
Finish the square knot:
Right OVER center and UNDER left
And left UNDER center, UNDER right and
THROUGH the loop.
Pull snug for another square knot.
Square knots close up.
Repeat: Left OVER center, UNDER right, and
right UNDER center and UNDER left and THROUGH the loop.
This photo shows all of the steps for one half knot.
Finish with right OVER center and UNDER left, and
Left UNDER center, UNDER right and THROUGH the loop.
This photo shows all of the steps to finish the square knot.
Repeat for a row of square knots.
Part 3: Adding beads
To add a bead, release the center cord at the bottom,
String your bead and re-secure your cord.
If your beads have large enough holes, you can string all of the cords through so there are no cords around the outside of the bead.
You can also string all of your beads on the center cord(s), and just move them up one-by-one as you're ready for them.
You can also string all of your beads on the center cord(s), and just move them up one-by-one as you're ready for them.
Bring your tying cords around the bead,
and begin making knots as before.
Here's one square knot being pulled snug.
One square knot, all snug, with tying cords
around the outside of the bead.
Make more square knots as desired.
You could have just two knots between beads, or ten!
Add more beads if you want.
Finish with the the same number of square knots
on either side of your end beads.
Part 4:
Using square knots for a sliding closure
Lay the two ends of your center cord parallel, in opposite directions.
Secure all of the cords at each end.
Cut about 1 foot of cord and lay it UNDER the center cords.
Begin making square knots.
The basic concept is to tie a series of knots OVER the center cords so they can slide through the group of knots.
Left OVER center, under right;
Right UNDER center, UNDER left and THROUGH the loop.
Right OVER center and UNDER left;
Left UNDER center and UNDER right and THROUGH the loop
One square knot pulled snug.
Continue making square knots.
You can have as few or as many square knots as you want.
We usually make 6 to 10 knots for our closures.
Pull the center cords to open the bracelet
and make sure it fits easily over your hand.
Tie knots close to the square knot closure.
Tie a knot on each side of the square knot closure. This will keep the bracelet from opening too wide.
Add beads if desired to the ends
and finish with knots to secure.
Secure the end knots.
There are a couple of options for securing the end knots.
If you're using a nylon cord, such as Chinese Knotting Cord, you can melt the ends with a match or candle flame. The Thread Zap tool is especially nice for this.
If you're not using a material that melts, be sure you've tied tight knots, put a clear glue on the knots and when it's dry snip close to the end.
If you're using a nylon cord, such as Chinese Knotting Cord, you can melt the ends with a match or candle flame. The Thread Zap tool is especially nice for this.
If you're not using a material that melts, be sure you've tied tight knots, put a clear glue on the knots and when it's dry snip close to the end.
Gallery
Bead In Hand
145 Harrison St., Oak Park, IL
