Square Knot
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| Description:
The Square Knot (SK) is the most commonly used decorative
knot in Macrame. It is heavily used in fishing, boating, and
other activities as well. In Macrame patterns, however, you
usually tie them with more than two cords. They are used primarily
in the body of patterns, but can be used in the mounting or
finishing process as well.
Variations: The Right Facing, Mirror knot is also described below. I've also included instructions for a pattern called the Switch Knot.
Step 1: To practice this important basic
knot, mount 2 cords to a ring or dowel so you end up with
4 strands. The blue strands in the images are the working cords, and the purple ones are fillers. Mentally number the cords 1 - 4, moving left to right.
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Step 2:
Use the left strand (#1) and curve it over both filler cords, which are cords 2 and 3. Pass it under the right working cord (#4). |
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Step 3: Direct the right strand (#4) towards the left. Go under
the fillers, and out through the space on the left hand side of the knot. The space is between cords 1 and 2. |
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Step 4: You just completed the first half of the Square Knot, which is sometimes called a "Half Knot". Now you need to tie the second half, which is opposite of
the instructions above.
Note how the two working cords have switched places. So #4 is on the left, and #1 is on the right. |
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Step 5: Curve cord 1, passing over both fillers, heading left. Bring cord 4 over it, under
the fillers, and through the space on the right. Tighten the
knot by pulling on both ends. The "head" of the
knot will face left. |
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Mirror Square Knot (MSK)
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| I use
my own term to describe this technique, which is the mirror
image of the knot described above. Other names I've seen used
are Right SK and Reverse SK. Reversing the direction is important when you want both edges of a design to be symmetrical. Just remember that the head of the Square Knot will face the direction of the first working cord you use. In this case, you start with the cord on the far right, and the head will therefore face right when you are finished. |
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Step 1: Using
4 strands of material, curve the right working cord over both fillers. Bring
the left strand over it, under the fillers, and through the
space on the right side. |
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Step 2: Bring
the left strand over the right one, under the fillers, and through the
space on the right side.
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Step 3: To make the second half of the Mirror Square Knot, curve the left working cord over the fillers, heading right. |
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Step 4: Bring the right working cord over the left one,
under the fillers, and through the space on the left side.
Tighten the knot by pulling on the ends. The head of the knot will face right. |
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Switch Knot
This interesting Square Knot pattern is made by switching the fillers and working cords each time you make a new knot.
It's important to leave enough space between the knots so you can see the crisscrossed cords clearly. |
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Step 1: Secure four cords to your board. If you wish, you can fold two cords in half. Mentally number them 1 - 4. The fillers are cords 2 and 3 for this knot.
Tie the first half of a Square Knot (left facing). |
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Step 2: Complete the second half of the knot, and tighten it firmly.
Make sure you can clearly identify the working cords and the fillers. |
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Step 3: Bring cords 1 and 4 down, passing over the other two strands.
They will now be used as the fillers for the next knot. Cords 2 and 3 will be used to tie the SK. |
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Step 4: When you tighten the second knot, leave a little space, so you can see the switched cords. |
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Step 5: Switch the cords again, so 1 and 4 are the working cords for the third knot.
Repeat this process over and over to make the rest of this Square Knot design. |
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You can tie all the SK so they face the same direction.
Or you can make Mirror SK every other knot, so half of the knots face left, and the others right. |
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Left Facing Knots Only |
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Left and Right Facing Knots |
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