Page 69 - Lydia Chen - The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting

05 Constellation Knot (65-80) 3/23/07 4:03 PM Page 66

Constellation Knot with Four Outer Loops
The simplest constellation knot is tied using the pull one, wrap one technique. This
knot, with five ear loops and four outer loops, most resembles a star in the sky.

TYING INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Make ear loop 1. Step 2. Make ear loop 2 and wrap around 1. Step 3. Make ear
loop 3, pull through 1 and wrap around 2. Step 4.Make ear loop 4, pull through 2 and
wrap around 3 and 1. Step 5. Make ear loop 5, pull through 3, wrap around 4, pull
through 1 and wrap around 2.
Use the formula application below to tie a constellation knot with multiple outer
loops.

HINT
Since most parts of the knot body are exposed, make sure that the curvature of each
ear loop is the same for optimal aesthetic effect.

1 2
1 1

5

2 2

4
3 3

Step 1. 1 3
Step 2. 2 + 1
Step 3. 3 – 1 + 2
Step 4. 4 – 2 + 3 + 1
Step 5. 5 – 3 + 4 – 1 + 2

4 Completed knot

Formula for this type of modified constellation knot with multiple outer loops:
a. (x) – (x–2) + (x–1)
b. (n–1) – (n–1–2) + (n–1–1) + 1
(n) – (n –2) + (n–1) – 1 + 2
Formula application:
1.“x”denotes the number of each ear loop.
“n”denotes the total number of ear loops;“n”is bigger than 2.
2.When the value of “x’ is not enough for subtraction, then that item does not exist.
Example: x = 2 and insert this into the equation to give 2 + 1
x = 4 and insert this into the equation to give 4 – 2 + 3
3. Use formula “a”for all ear loops except the number 2 by counting backwards. Use formula “b”for
this particular ear loop.
Constellation knot with four outer loops.

66 CONSTELLATION KNOT