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Double Zipper

Description: The Double Zipper is a variation of the Zipper Sennit. It's made with two contrasting colors.

In the front, the dark color will be under the light color, which gives you the most contrast (image above). In the back, the colors are switched, so the light color will be under the dark color (see image for step 7).

Since the sennit is reversible, you will need to choose which side you prefer before the final steps.

This decorative knot makes a great Paracord bracelet. For that reason, the instructions include a loop for a clasp (optional).

You can also use it to make key chains, belts, and other Macrame projects where you need a flat band of knots.

This design was found on the Fusion Knots website, under the name Back to Back Zipper Bar.

Click on the link or image to visit the website.

The video gallery contains tutorials for this pattern and other interesting knotting techniques and designs.

Preparation:

You need two 60-inch cords to practice the Double Zipper (two colors).

The cords should be at least 7 x the finished length you plan to make, when using this technique for Macrame project.

Please read the bottom section of Cord Preparation if you plan to use Parachute Cord, as in the example shown.

In the example, cord A is orange and cord B is green.

Step 1: Make a loop in the center of cord A, crossing left over right.

Fold the left half of the cord to make a bight. Pass it into the loop under - over (from below). It should be diagonal (arrows).

Tighten the loop by pulling on the bight. Then pull the left half of the cord to make the bight smaller.

Step 1, continued: Check to see if both halves of the cord are the same length. Make adjustments if necessary.

Secure the loop in the area where it surrounds the bight (see image below).

Pull on the lower left area of the knot to make a small loop if you need one for a clasp (optional). Secure the loop to your board.

You can see the area you need to pull in the previous image. The segment is marked with an X.

Designer's Tip: Because you crossed the cord in step 1, the left and right halves are labeled the opposite of where they actually rest.

The instructions describe them in their original positions, but you can re-label them where they rest now if that's easier for you.

Pass cord B through the bight horizontally from below (under - over). Secure it to your board.

The center of it should be in the middle of the bight.

Step 2: Make a new bight by folding the right half of cord A, which is currently on the left.

Pass it into the first bight under - over (from below).

Make sure it passes over cord B.

Pull on the left half of cord A to tighten the first bight around the second.

Reduce the size of the second bight by pulling on the right half of the cord.

Make sure the loop for the clasp remains the same size.

Step 3: Fold the left half of cord A to make a new bight.

Move it over cord B, then pass it into the previous bight under - over (from below).

Tighten the previous bight by pulling the right half of cord A.

Pull the left half to reduce the size of the new bight.

The view you are seeing now is considered the BACK of the Double Zipper pattern.

Concept for Double Zipper:

When you work in the BACK of the sennit, you pass each new bight through the previous one from below (under - over), as shown in steps 2 and 3.

When you work in the FRONT of the sennit, you pass the new bight through the previous bight from the top (over - under), a shown in step 4.

You make a bight with one half of the cord, then use the other half for the next bight.

After making two bights, you turn the design over, then repeat.

Step 4: Turn the knot over, so you are working in the FRONT. Arrange both halves of cord A horizontally.

Mentally label the two halves of cord B, after making sure it's balanced.

Make the next bight with the right half of cord B.

Move it over cord A. Pass it into the previous bight over - under (from the top).

Tighten the previous bight by pulling on the left half of cord A.

The next bight is made with the left half of cord B.

Move it over cord A. Pass it into the previous bight over - under.

Tighten the previous bight by pulling on the right half of cord B.

Step 5: Turn the Double Zipper over, so you are working in the BACK again.

Make the next bight with the right half of cord A. Move it over cord B. Pass it into the previous bight under - over (from below).

Tighten the previous bight.

Make the next bight with the left half of cord A.

Move it over cord B, then pass it into the previous bight under - over.

Tighten the previous bight.

Step 6: Turn the sennit over so you are in the FRONT.
Make the next bight with the right half of cord B.

Move it over cord A, then pass it into the previous bight over - under.

Tighten the previous bight.

Make the next bight with the left half of cord B.

Move it over cord A, then pass it into the previous bight over - under.

Tighten the previous bight.

Step 7: Repeat steps 5 - 6 several times, or until the sennit is the size you need for your project.

You need to decide if you prefer the front or the back of the Double Zipper as you are making it.

Continued Below

Stop on step 5 if you prefer the FRONT.

Stop on step 6 if you prefer the BACK.

Turn the sennit over to the side you prefer, so you are looking at it (face up).

Step 8: For the FRONT face up, pass one END of cord B through the last bight you made over - under.

For the BACK face up, do this with cord A, since the last bight is cord B (step 6).

Pass the other END of cord B (or cord A) through the bight, too.

Make sure it goes through under - over, crossing over the other half.

Step 8, continued: Tighten the last bight as much as possible. You can apply glue as you tighten, if you are making something with the Double Zipper.

Inspect the sennit to make sure the curved portions are all the same size, and everything is tightened the same.

Make adjustments, then finish off ends of the cord you did not use in step 8.

Step 9: You can now make a button knot if you need one for a clasp (optional).

This shows the Knife Knot, also called the Diamond knot.

The Oysterman knot is another option. Both halves work together if you decide to make this knot.

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