Ganesha Decoration

• 6mm Nylon Cord (Crown: 20 yards, Face: 50 yards)
• Project Board and Pins
• Glue that dries clear
• Craft Wire
• Beads
• Animal Eyes
• 1 shank-style Button

• Larks Head knot
• Alternating Square Knots
• Wrapped Knot
• Alternating Half Hitch

Cutting Instructions:

• Crown:  Cut 10 cords, each 60 inches long. Cut 1 cord, 12 inches long.     
• Face: Cut 12 cords, each 60 inches long. Cut 1 cord, 36 inches long.
• Tusks: Cut 2 cords, each 18 inches long (either color).
• Trunk:  Cut 1 cord, at least 90 inches long.
• Ears:   Cut 22 cords, each 24 inches long.

Creating the Crown

Step 1: Take the 12-inch cord for the crown of the Ganesha decoration, and secure it to your board. It should rest horizontally.  Attach 6 of the 60-inch cords for the crown to it, with Larks Head Knots. 

Step 3:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 12. Add a cord to strands 1 and 2, and another one to 11 and 12.  Just slide the new strand under them and use it to tie a Square Knot onto them.  Complete the row by tying the ASK with the rest of the cords. Go to step 13 to see an image showing the cords being added.

Step 4:  Tie 2 rows of ASK.

Step 5:  Add two cords to the strands at each edge, just like you did in step 3.

Step 6:  Tie 5 rows of ASK.

Step 7:  Mentally number the cords 1 thru 20.  Tie the remaining rows of ASK as follows:

Row 1:  Tie ASK with 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20.
Row 2:  Use 3-6, 7-10, 11-14, and 15-18 for the ASK.
Row 3:  Tie the ASK with 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, and 17-20.
Row 4:  Use 7-10, 11-14, and 15-18.
Row 5:  Make the ASK with 9-12 and 13-16.
Row 6:  Tie one ASK with cords 11-14.

Step 8:  Add the Button (or a large bead) to cord 13.  Tie a Square Knot just below, using cords 11-14.

Step 9:  Direct cord 1 diagonally, along the left edge of the V shape you just made.  Secure it so it’s taut.  Attach cords 2 thru 10 to it with Double Half Hitches. 

Step 10:  Do the same with cord 20, directing it along the right edge of the V shape.  Attach cords 19 thru 11 to it with DHH (in that order). 

To complete the lower edge of the crown for your Ganesha Decoration, attach one holding cord to the other with a DHH.

Making the Face

Step 14: Tie 2 rows of ASK.

Step 15:  Add two more strands to cords 1 and 2 as well as 19 and 20. Use the same technique as in step 13.

Step 16:  Tie 3 rows of ASK.

Step 18:  Tie one row of ASK with the remaining cords.  There’s a large gap in the middle now, but the knots need to be tied the same way, ACROSS THE GAP.

In other words, the knots are made with 3-6, 7 & 8 combined with
17 & 18, and 19-22.  When you pull the cords to make the knot in the center, the face for your Ganesha Decoration will pop out slightly. 

Step 19:  Tie the final row of ASK using cords 5-8 and 17-20.

Step 20:  At the bottom of the face, locate cords 1 thru 4 and 21 thru 24.  Separate them from the others, since they will be used to make the tusks.  Take the remaining ends and direct them to the back of the face.  Trim them to 2-inches and apply glue to hold them to the back of the design.  You can use tweezers to work them into the back of the knots if you wish.

Step 22:  Mouth: Take the 36-inch cord and pass it through a space in the very bottom of the face, on your left.  Center it so the ends are even.  Tie a sennit of Alternating Half Hitches measuring 3-inches long.  On the right, pass the ends through the face from front to back.  Flip the Ganesha Decoration over and tie a tight Square Knot to hold the sennit in place.  Trim the ends and apply glue to the knot.

Take a 12-inch piece of scrap cord and use it to tie a Wrapped knot around ALL the cords for the trunk of the Ganesha Decoration.  Make it as tight as you can, and approximately 2 inches long.  Apply glue to the entire knot and allow it to dry.  Cut off the excess.

Step 25:  Direct the cords across to the left side of the triangle, and attach them with Double Half Hitches.  They will run horizontally.

Step 26:  Select four strands closest to the bottom of the ear, near the point.  Weave each one through the horizontal cords, towards the top of the ear, heading vertically.  Attach them to the widest part of the triangle with DHH (marked with an X in the image). Make sure you alternate the over-under weaving process with the 2nd and 4th strands.

Step 27:  Apply glue to the back of the knots all the way around the ear.  Let it dry completely.  Cut off most of the excess material, but leave at least 1 strand to connect the ear to the head of the Ganesha Decoration. 

The best way to attach it is to pass the cord through a space in the face, followed by one in the ear.  This is called a Slip Stitch.  Continue doing this until the ear is attached and secure. 

Finishing Touches

Step 29:  Go back to the lower part of the crown and direct all the ends through spaces in the face. They need to be in the back where they can’t be seen.   Flip the Ganesha Decoration over.  Trim the cords so they are 2 inches long.  Apply glue to hold the ends in place, and allow it to dry.