Description:
The Cloverleaf knot is the most common
design used in Chinese Macrame. You need to
know how to tie this basic decorative knot easily,
if you want to create combinations using Chinese
knots.
On this page I not only describe the 3-loop
variation shown above, but also show you how to
tie it with two loops and four
loops. Each variation has it's
advantages, particularly when tying elaborate
Chinese designs.
Practice tying each variation several
times, so
you are as comfortable tying this knot as you are
the Square Knot.
If you can, reverse the direction you tie each
design, so you can make them in both directions.
Cloverleaf Knot -- 3 Loops
Step
1: Fold a 60-inch cord
close to the center, so the left
half is about 10 inches longer
than the right.
Secure both the fold and the right
portion to your board.
Step
2: Make a clockwise
loop on the left.
Pass over
and under
the two segments, as you bring the working
end to the right.
Step
3: Bring the working end
back to the left,
forming Bight
1.
Make sure you pass under
- over the two segments.
Step
4: Bring the working end
up above the first fold, and rotate it clockwise
to form loop
2.
Bring the end down through the bight you
made in the last step over
- under.
Step
5: Bring the working end
to the right and back up, passing through
the first bight under
- over.
This forms
bight 2.
Step
6: Rotate the end clockwise,
to form loop
3.
Bring the working end over
- under
bight 2, moving horizontallytowards
the left side of the Cloverleaf knot.
Bring it under
the secured
end and under
the right side of loop
1.
Step
7: Bring the working end
back to the right,
passing over
the secured
end.
Move it under
- over the 2nd
bight (on the right).
Step
8: Tighten the center
of the Cloverleaf knot first, by pulling
on the three
loops and the ends.
Don't tighten it completely, just enough
for the knot to hold it's shape.
Step 8,
continued: Reduce the size of each loop in
the order they were made.
Cloverleaf -- 4 Loops
The advantage to
making a Cloverleaf knot with four loops is that
the ends are heading in opposite
directions. So this is a great
feature knot for items like bracelets or
belts.
The three loop variation is better for items that
dangle,
such as earrings and pendants.
Step
1: Start by making a 3-loop
Cloverleaf by following steps
1 - 7 above.
Rotate the
workingend
clockwise
to make loop
4.
Bring the working end over
the first horizontal segmentyou come to, at the bottom.
Pass it under
the next two segments. Pass it through loop
2over
- under.
Step
2: Pull on the loops and
ends to tighten the center slightly.
Then reduce the size of the four loops by removing
the slack from each one, in
the order they were made.
Cloverleaf -- 2 Loops
The main advantage to
using this variation is that it's easy to attach
to other Chinese knots. The two loops
can be any size, and still be
balanced. Make sure you practice this
variation several times.
Step
1: Fold a 36-inch cord in
half and secure the left half. Make
Loop
1 in a counter-clockwise
direction, with the right half.
Bring the end over
to make the crossing point, and under
the left half of the cord.
Step
2: Bring the working end
back to the right, passing under
- over the two segments.
This forms a bight
on the left side of the Cloverleaf knot.
Step 3: Rotate
the working end counter-clockwise
to make loop
2.
Bring the end through the knot on a diagonal
slant:
Passoverthe
bight
at the left, and under
the secured end.
Move it under
the loop's crossing point, and over
the crook of loop
1.
Step
4: The final step for this
Cloverleaf knot is to bring the end back
to the left, passing over
the secured end. Bring it through
the bightunder
- over
(from below).
Tighten the knot by pulling on the loops
first. Then reduce their size by
removing the slack.
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