Page 134 - Eric C. Fry - Knots and Ropework

73 There are only two working strands in a Portuguese sen nit
(these may be doubled if desired), one either side of a
central heart, which can be any number of strands, usually
Portuguese two (more than three not being recommended).
The left-hand strand is passed under the hearts and over
Sennit, the right-hand strand, a bight being retained on the left,
Fig 1. The right-hand strand is brought across, over the
hearts, down through the bight. Fig 2, and both ends
Spiral drawn tight, Fig 3. The left-hand strand is again passed
under the hearts, Fig 4, the second knot being completed,
Figs 5 to 7.
This process is continued, always using the left-hand
strand first when the spira l will develop automatically,
Fig 8, indeed it cannot be prevented or straightened out.