Cloverleaf Knot
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| Description: The Cloverleaf Knot 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. You won't get very far without knowing how to
tie this important technique. Practice both variations repeatedly
until you are completely familiar with tying them.
Variations: The Cloverleaf can be tied
to result in 2 or 4 loops. Both variations are described below, so you can practice all three types.
You can click on the small images and a large picture
will come up in a new window.
Revised January, 2010 |
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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. |
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Step 1:
Secure one end of the cord, which is called the tail. Bring the cord up, make a loop, and come back down.
Next, make a clockwise loop on the left. Mentally label it number 1. Pass over the left part of the cord, and under the right portion, as you head right. Make sure the working end is horizontal at this point. |
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Step 2: Direct the working end back to the left, passing under the right coil and over the left one. |
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Step 3: Bring the working end up to the top and form a second loop. Make it in a clocwise direction. Next, pass the end into the narrow loop on the right, from the top. In doing so, it will pass over one coil and under the next, as you head to the bottom.
The black stick is pointing to the working end. |
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Step 4: Make another small 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 coils in that area.
The stick points to the small fold and the working end. |
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Step 5: Bring the working end to the right, and form the third loop in a clockwise direction. Weave through the folds as you direct the cord to the left. Another way to look at it is to pass into the fold made in step 4, over the tail, and into the first loop. |
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Step 6: The final step is to bring the working end to the right again, passing under the tail. Go into the small fold made in step 4 from below (under-over). |
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Step 7: Leave the pins on the three large loops, but remove the rest. Tighten the center first, by pulling on the loops. 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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Two-Loop Variation
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Step 1: You'll be making this Cloverleaf Knot backwards. Secure the tail, and bring the cord up into a fold. Come down to the right of the tail.
Make loop 1 in a counter-clockwise direction. Pass under the tail, and form a small fold. 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. Bring the working end down and into the fold made in the previous step.
The stick indicates where you are at this point. |
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Step 3: Bring the working end under the tail, and into loop 1 from below. |
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Step 4: Direct the working end up to the small fold on the left, which was made in the first step. As you do so, pass over the tail. Head into the fold from below. |
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| Step 5: Tighten the Cloverleaf knot slowly and gradually, making sure you don't pull out loops 1 and 2. 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. |
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Four Leaf Clover |
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| I doubt you will ever find a four leaf Clover in your yard, but you have found one here! Needless to say, this one symbolizes luck and fortune. It's really easy to make 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 the 3-Loop version of the Cloverleaf. 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 coils in the center. Pass over the one at the bottom, and under the other two. Then direct the end into loop 2 at the top of the design. |
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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 only, and leave them on the 4 loops. Pull on each loop, 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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