Celtic Button Knot

Description: The Celtic Button Knot is a historic decorative knot that is very well known.  It's easy to tie, but tightening it is the real challenge.

Be sure you have no distractions when you practice. I also recommend you use a project board and pins.

Button Knots can be used for decorations and jewelry.  They can also be used as finishing knots to hide the ends of cords.

The Sliding Celtic Button is also described below. It's tied around a holding cord, which means it can be positioned where you need it.

To view a Macrame project featuring this knot, see the Celtic Button Necklace.

Step 1: You need one 36-inch cord to practice. Secure the left end to your working surface with pins or tape.

Make a counter-clockwise loop, passing the working end over the secured end, as you bring it towards the right.

Step 2: Make a second counter-clockwise loop with the working end. Position it so it rests on top of the first loop, and slightly towards the right. There should be three obvious spaces.

Identify the space in the center, which is marked with an X in the image.

Step 3: Bring the working end around again to make a third loop, moving counter-clockwise.

Weave the end through the first two loops, passing over - under - over - under the four segments.

Step 4: Create Loop 4 by moving the working end over the secured end, and over loop 3 on the right.  Pass it under the next two segments.

The end should come out through the space.

Make sure the end passes over the segment of loop 4 at the bottom of the knot. 

Step 5:  Start with loop 2, to tighten loop 1.  Tighten loop 3, and then 4.

Each loop you pull will tighten the one before it.

The final step is to pull on the end, which tightens loop 4.

Sliding Celtic Button Knot

The Sliding Celtic Button is tied the same way as the standard button. The difference is that there is a holding cord running through it.

This allows the knot to be positioned where you need it, since it slides along the holding cord.

Step 1: To practice this variation of the Celtic Button knot, you need 2 cords.  The working cord should be at least 36 inches long. 

In the images, that's the pink cord.  The holding cord is brown.

Secure the holding cord horizontally, with tension.

Secure the other cord at the left end, also resting horizontally. It should rest below the holding cord.

Make the first loop with the working end, rotating counter-clockwise.

As you do this, make sure you pass the end under the holding cord, and then over to form the loop.

Step 2: Rotate counter-clockwise to make loop 2, passing the end under the holding cord first.

Place it to the right of the first loop, resting on top. You need to have three obvious spaces.

Step 3: Start the third loop by passing the working end under the holding cord.

Weave the working end through the four segments  over - under - over - under.   Arrange the loops so you can still see the central space clearly (X).

Step 5: Start the fourth loop by first passing under the holding cord.

Move the working end over the segment of loop 3 on the right, under the next two segments, and out through the central space.

Tighten the Sliding Celtic Button Knot gradually, removing the slack from the loops, starting with the second one.

Remember that each loop you pull on will tighten the one before it. 

The last step is to pull on the end.