Pipa Knot |
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Description: The Pipa Knot is an interesting Chinese design that makes a great clasp for jewelry. You can also make it with wire or leather cord to make very unique earrings.
It's been seen on ancient Oriental clothing as a clasp as well as for decoration. So this historical decorative knot has been around for a long time.
You can click on the small images below to see larger ones. |
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| You will need one strand of material, at least 36 inches long. Also, be sure to use a project board and pins the first few times you create the Pipa knot. |
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Step 1: Secure the right end of the cord to your board. Move up around 6 inches and make a clockwise loop. The left segment should pass over the right as shown. Secure the loop at the crook.
It's important to make the knot as small as possible, so Loop 1 should be around 1/2-inch in size. |
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Step 2: Make a second loop, resting below the first, in a counter-clockwise direction. It should rest on top of the secured end of the cord (tail). Secure it at the crook.
Loop 2 needs to be larger than Loop 1, so make it around 1-inch in size. |
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Step 3: Bring the working end under Loop 1 at the top of the Pipa knot, moving in a clockwise direction. Mentally number this one Loop 3.
Make sure the cord crosses over itself as you bring it towards the bottom left area of the knot.
Pull the end so Loop 3 wraps around the first one snugly. |
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Step 4: Loop 4 should be made in a counter-clockwise direction, and should nestle inside Loop 2 (at the bottom).
Secure the loops either at the crossing point, or the crook. |
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Step 5: Bring the working end up to the top of the knot, and pass it around the first loop. Make sure it rests above Loop 3. It should be made heading clockwise, and mentally labeled Loop 5.
Next, bring the end down and make the 6th loop at the bottom in a counter-clockwise direction. It should nestle inside Loop 4. |
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Step 6: To make the final loop (7), pass the end around the first loop. This new loop should rest above Loop 5.
Pass the working end through the small hole between the loops at the bottom of the Pipa Knot. |
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Tug on the ends to tighten the knot, but make sure the loops remain flat and do not overlap. The reason you make it small is so that you don't need to tighten it very much.
If you did make it large, start at the tail and progress gradually, all the way through the knot, as you remove the slack. |
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| To make a Pipa Knot clasp, simply make a Chinese Button Knot with the long end, tying it around the short tail a few times. Make the knot again for the second half of the clasp, but secure the ends to the back of the knot with glue. The button knot fits through Loop 1 at the top of the design. |
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I searched high and low for the instructions to make this knot, and I finally found it in JD Lenzen's new book "Decorative Fusion Knots".
Be sure to click on the link or image to visit his cool website! |
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| Searching for Macrame Supplies to make your next project? Free Macrame Patterns has an online store. Just click on any of the Acajou Crafts banners, and you will be sent to our sister site. Be sure to check out the specials! |
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