Cloverleaf Knot
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| Description: The Cloverleaf Knot is sometimes called the Flower Knot, and is the most important decorative knot
in Chinese Macrame. It’s vital for you to know how to
tie it if you plan to combine the Chinese knots into unique
patterns. It’s the equivalent of knowing how to make
Square Knots. Practice all three variations repeatedly
until you are completely familiar with tying them.
Variations: The Cloverleaf can be tied
to result in 2, 3, or 4 loops, which are each described below.
You can click on the small images and a large picture
will come up in a new window. |
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You’ll need one strand of
cord, at least 60 inches long, to practice the standard Three-Loop Cloverleaf Knot.
I highly recommend
you use a Project Board and pins to help you control the
loops. Secure each one as you make them, at the crook, which is the curved portion.
Note: The folds, sometimes called "Bights", are narrow. The Loops are round, and have a crossing point. |
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Step 1:
Secure one end of the cord, which is called the "tail". Bring the cord up, make the first fold, and come back down to the right of the first portion. Mentally label it "Fold 1", and secure it.
Next, make a clockwise loop on the left. Mentally label it Loop 1. Pass over the left part of the cord, and under the right portion, as you bring the working end to the right. Make sure the working end is horizontal. |
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Step 2: Direct the working end back to the left, creating a second fold. Pass under the right portion of fold 1, and over the left portion. |
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Step 3: Bring the working end up to the top and form a second loop, which rests above fold 1. Make it in a clockwise direction. Bring the end down and pass it into fold 2 on the right, from the top (over - under). |
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Step 4: Make a third fold on the right as you bring the working end back to the top. It follows the same path as it did in step 3, under and over the two portions of fold 2. |
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Step 5: Bring the working end towards the right, and form the third loop in a clockwise direction. Weave through fold 3 by going under and over. Pass over the tail, and into loop 1. There you will go over - under, too. |
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Step 6: Direct the working end to the right again, passing under the tail. Go into fold 3 from below (under-over). |
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Step 7: Keep the three large loops secured, but remove the pins from the folds. Tighten the center first, by pulling on the loops, as well as the ends. Next, adjust the size of the loops one at a time, in the order they were made. Removing the pins as you progress really helps. |
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Double Loop Variation
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Step 1: This Cloverleaf Knot is made backwards. So secure the tail, and bring the cord up into the first fold. Come down to the right of the tail.
Make loop 1 in a counter-clockwise direction. Pass under the tail, and form fold 2. Head back to the right, passing under the tail again, and over the area just above loop 1. |
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Step 2: Make loop 2 at the top of the design, in a counter-clockwise direction. This will pull the working end to the crook (top) of fold 1.
Bring the working end down and into fold 2, from above (over - under). |
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Step 3: Bring the working end under the tail, and into loop 1 from below (under - over). |
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Step 4: Direct the working end clockwise, bringing it over the tail, and up to fold 2 on the left. Pass into it from below (under - over). |
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| Step 5: Tighten the Cloverleaf knot slowly and gradually, making sure you don't pull out the loops. I prefer to keep them pinned to the board while I tighten the central area. Then I pull the pins out and adjust the size of the loops. Remember that it's the loops you want to have standing out, not the folds. |
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Four Leaf Clover |
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| Four Leaf Clovers are readily found in most pastures, but it's fun to have one among your household decorations. They symbolizes luck and fortune. It's really easy to make one, once you know how to create the Three-Loop Cloverleaf knot. So practice that one first until you are very comfortable with it. |
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Step 1: Follow the instructions at the top of the page, and make a 3-Loop Cloverleaf knot. Stop at step 6, and do not tighten it yet. |
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Step 2: The black stick indicates the path the working end needs to take to make the fourth loop. There are three horizontal segments. Pass over the one at the bottom, and under the other two. Then direct the end into loop 2, from the top, which is over - under.
This creates the fourth loop, which rests right next to the tail. |
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This is what the Cloverleaf knot should look like when you are done. Be sure to click on the icon to see a large image, where you can see the details better. |
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Step 3: Remove the pins from the center, and leave them on the 4 outer loops. Pull on each one, in order, to tighten the center.
Only then should you reduce the size of the loops. The ends will be heading in opposite directions. If you want them together, just fold the top one down in the back of the knot. |
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