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Chain Sennit


	Chain Sennit		Zipper Sennit		Lizard Tail

Description: The Chain Sennit is a historic decorative knot that is sometimes called the Drummer’s Plait, or the Caterpillar Sennit. It's primary purpose is to form linked loops, which produces a very nice pattern on both the front and the back. You could use it to make Macrame jewelry, or any time you need an attractive chain of knots.

Variations: I have also included instructions for the Zipper Sennit, as well as the Lizard Tail Sennit, which are both related knotting techniques.

You can click on the small images and a larger picture will show up in a new window.

All three of these designs can be found in JD Lenzen's new website, Fusion Knots.

He also has this great book available, so be sure to visit his website for more information, by clicking on the link or image.

Regular Chain Sennit

Step 1: Secure one end of a 60-inch cord to your board. Make a counter-clockwise loop near the secured end. Make sure you pass the working end under the secured portion to make the crossing point.

Step 2: Make a narrow fold, which is called a BIGHT, and push it through the first loop, moving left to right. It should enter into the loop from the top.

Pull on the bight to tighten the first knot. Make sure the working end is on the left when you are finished.

Step 3: Create the next bight by folding the working end. Push it through the one previously made, from the top.

Pull on the bight to tighten the knot firmly. Adjust the size of the new bight by pulling on the end.

Step 4: Repeat step 3 as many times as necessary to complete the Chain Sennit. Always push the newest bight into the one previously made, and keep the working end on your left. That way nothing gets twisted.

Step 5: To finish, pass the working end through the the final bight, heading into it from the top. Pull on the end to tighten the last knot in the sennit.

You can use either the front or back of this design, which is great if you are making a belt. If it gets twisted, it still looks very appealing.

Zipper Sennit

Description: The Zipper Sennit is an attractive design, related to the Chain Sennit. The main difference is that you use both ends to make alternating Bights (narrow folds). The other difference is that you pass each new bight into the previous one from BELOW.

Step 1: Make a loop in the center of a 60-inch cord. Make sure the left portion crosses over the right.

Step 2: Take the end that is now on the right, and fold it to form a BIGHT. Push it into the loop from below.

Pull on the bight firmly to tighten the first loop around it.

Step 3: Use the other end (left), and make a new bight, passing it into the first one from below.

Pull firmly on the new bight to tighten the first one.

Step 4: Use the right end again, and make the third bight. Pass it into the second one from below.

Continue to alternate between the two ends as you make the rest of the Zipper Sennit.

Step 5: Finish like you did with the Chain Sennit, passing the END through the final bight. Make sure you pass into it from below.

Step 6: Adjust the loops as needed to complete the Zipper Sennit.

Lizard Tail Sennit

Description: The Lizard Tail is a variation of the Chain Sennit, and is usually made with two contrasting colors. Since it can be used as a Paracord Bracelet, the first few steps show you how to make a loop, combining the two colors. You could also simply fold a cord in half, and make it with a single color.

Step 1: Fold one cord 3 to 4 inches from the end, to form a loop. Secure it on the left, and mentally label it "Color A".

Do the same with the second cord, but arrange it so the fold is at the bottom, and it's to the right of the first cord. Make sure the long portion is on the outside (right). Mentally label it "Color B".

Step 2: Use the long portion of the Color B cord, which is the green one in this image. Wrap it around the other three segments 3 to 4 times.

As you wrap, head from top to bottom, towards the folded portion of the Color B cord.

Step 3: Pass the working end into the space near the folded area of the Color B cord (loop). Make sure you direct the end into it from the top.

Step 4: Pull on the short segment of the Color B cord to tighten the wrapped area. The folded portion is pulled inside. If necessary, you can pull on the long end slightly, too.

This Wrapped Knot needs to be very snug, so pull hard. Adjust the size of the Color A loop by pulling on the short end.

The loop is used as part of a clasp, so is optional. But it's a good way to combine the two cords, so the sennit has two colors.

Step 5: Secure the short ends out of the way for now. You will use the long portion of both cords to make this variation of the Chain Sennit.

Make a clockwise loop with the Color A cord (on the left).

Step 6: Make a BIGHT with the color B cord, and direct it through the first loop from the top. The working ends should both be on your right when you are finished.

Step 7: Pull on the long segment of the Color A cord to tighten the first loop around the bight.

IMPORTANT: To successfully make the Lizard Tail, the bights should ALWAYS be on the left, and the ends on the right.

		The trick is to always pass the new bight over the end of the other cord.
	Make the next bight with the Color A cord.		Repeat this process over and over.

To finish, pass the END through the last bight, rather than making another one, just like you did in the Chain Sennit and the Zipper Sennit.

You can use the back or the front of the Lizard Tail, since they are both very interesting.

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