Mystic Knot
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Description:
The Chinese Mystic Knot is sometimes referred to as the
Pan Chang Knot. It represents the endless
cycle of nature. This decorative knot is one of the most
highly used techniques in Chinese Macrame. This interesting design can be used to make a clasp for a purse, to decorate
wind chimes, or to make a pendant for a necklace. Try making
it with Satin Rayon Cord (Rattail) for a very beautiful
Macrame design.
Click on the small images and a larger picture
will come up in a new window. This will help you see the
details more clearly.
Note: In the images, you will see terms you may not be familiar with:
- Bight = Narrow Fold
- Loop = Circular, and has a crossing point
- Crook = Rounded portion of a loop or fold
Look them up in the Macrame Dictionary, if you need more information. The bights in the images will have numbers, and the loops will have letters.
You will need a Project
Board and pins to help you control the cords. Cut
one cord at least 72 inches long to practice this technique.
Secure every loop and fold with a pin, or wrap the cord
around bulletin board pins, as in the photos.
Step 1: Find the center of the cord and
secure it to the board. In the image below, that's the area marked with the word "center". It needs to be a wide fold, so if you use bulletin board pins, make sure it goes around two of them. It will be labeled Bight 1 in the images.
Take the right end and direct it
down (vertically), then back up, making a narrow fold (Bight 2). Do
the same with the left end (Bight 3). You can see this in the image below. Secure the left end for now. |
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Step 2:
Take the right end, and form Loop A in the upper right corner of the Mystic Knot. You will be moving clockwise. Weave the end horizontally,
alternating over and under the 4 vertical segments, as you bring the cord
to the left. Make Bight 4 as you bring the end back to
the right side, just below. Make sure the end follows the same path, so the under - over sequence is the same. |
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Step 3: Make Bight 5 on the right. If you use bulletin board pins, direct the cord around 2 of them, since it needs to be wider. This fold will be in the middle section of the Mystic Knot.
Direct the cord left, following the same under - over sequence as in step 2. Bring the end back to the right to create Bight 6, also with the same sequence. Secure the right end to your board. |
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Step 4: Take
the LEFT working end and make Loop B, in a counter-clockwise direction. It should rest at the left upper corner of the Mystic knot.
Bring the end to the right by going over all 4 segments. Pass into Loop A, and bring the end back to the left, passing under all four segments. This creates Bight 7, which should rest to the north of Bight 4. |
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Step 5: Direct the end around Bight 4 on the left, so you can use the same pin. This is Bight 8. Bring the end to the right, so it's inside Bight 5. The end will need to pass over the 4 vertical segments.
Bring the end back to the left, passing under the four segments. This creates Bight 9. |
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| Tip:
You should be able to see the overall concept of the Mystic Knot now, consisting
of circular loops on the outside, along with the wide folds. The narrow
folds are on the inside, and make up the center of the knot. |
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Step 6: Make Loop C on the bottom left, rotating counter-clockwise, around Bight 6. Now the end will pass
through the segments of the cord heading vertically, towards the top of the
design. Start by passing through Bight 6 from below (under - over).
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over the next 2 segments, and into Bight 4,
again from below (under - over).
Direct the end into Loop B at the top of the design. You can see this in the image below, where I marked the over - under sequence in RED. |
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Step 7: Head
back towards the bottom of the design by going under the first segment
at the top. Go over the top part of Bight 8, and under the top of Bight 4. Then go under the lower portions. The path of this weaving is marked in BLUE.
Repeat this process exactly, when you get down to Bight 6 and Loop C. |
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Step 8: Bring the end
back up to the top of the Mystic knot, passing around Bight 3. This new area of weaving nestles inside Bight 1, which is wider. The over - under sequence is marked in RED going UP and BLUE as you come DOWN.
The weaving can be changed, but make sure you alternate more on the downward pass. |
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| Step 10:
Remove the pins from the inner, narrower bights first. Pull on
the round loops in the corners as well as the wide bights as
you begin tightening. They will become very large. Follow the cord throughout the design, removing the slack from each loop as you progress. The Mystic Knot is supposed to have a
snugly weaved square in the middle and 7 loops on the outside, which are marked with the pink X's in the image above. |
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Supplies? Please visit the official online store for Free Macrame Patterns. I carry
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any comments or suggestions about the Mystic Knot? Contact
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