Page 21 - Lydia Chen - The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting

02 Four Meth of Bsc Knots (17-27) rp08 5/30/08 5:59 PM Page 18

FOUR MAIN METHODS OF TYING BASIC KNOTS

From lengthy research into the knots that were first used by the Chinese for practical purposes and later as decorative
motifs, Chinese knotting experts, including Lydia Chen, the author of this book and a world-renowned knotter, have
identified fourteen basic knots, namely the (1) cloverleaf knot, (2) pan chang knot, (3) round brocade knot, (4) constel-
lation knot, (5) good luck knot, (6) Buddha knot, (7) double connection knot, (8) plafond knot, (9) flat knot, (10) creep-
er knot, (11) double coin knot, (12) button knot, (13) cross knot and (14) tassel knot.
These fourteen basic knots have been classified not only according to their structure but also the four main methods
or techniques used to tie them, which include (1) pulling and wrapping outer loops, (2) using single flat knots, (3) over-
lapping outer loops and (4) knotting semi-outer loops or “S” curves.

1. Pulling and Wrapping Ear Loops

Cloverleaf Knot Pan Chang Knot
This is made by forming first one ear loop, then a second ear This knot is formed using the cloverleaf knotting technique,
loop and passing it through the first one, then forming a third but increasing the number of ear loops on each side to two or
ear loop and passing it through the second one. The cord end more. The cord end is hooked up with the fourth side of ear
is pulled tight to form the center knot. The cord sections loops two times or more using the same technique as the
between the inner loops make up the outer loops of the knot. cloverleaf knot.

Round Brocade Knot Constellation Knot
This involves the cloverleaf knotting technique, but an addi- This knot is formed using the round brocade knotting tech-
tional ear loop is pulled through every second or more ear nique, except that the second ear loop in the beginning is
loop in front of it. The second last ear loop is then hooked up wrapped around the first. The rest of the ear loops are done
with the first two loops in the beginning using the pull one, in the usual pull one, wrap one technique. The last two ear
wrap one technique. loops are then hooked up with the first two ear loops, also
using the pull one, wrap one method.

Good Luck Knot
This is tied using the cloverleaf knotting technique, but after
pulling the cord end through each ear loop, the cord end is
reversed and pulled through each ear loop again to make it
look as though the knot is being tied with two cords. The dif-
ference between a good luck knot tied this way and one done
using the overlapping ear loop method is that the cord ends
will come out of the knot body in a slightly different position.

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