Question about knots

by sara
(ohio)

Are the strings on the left always going to be Forward knots and the strings on the right backward knots? also, what is a joining knot??

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starstarstarstarstar 		Forward knots, Backward Knots, and Joining Knots
by: Christine

The reason you use different knots is more based on the colors of the strings, what color you want the knot to be (i.e. The color in the right place for your desired pattern), and where you want the 2 strings you used in the knotting to end up after you complete the knot.

I know that probably sounds clear as mud!

Here's an example.

If you have 6 strings, and they are colored like this: 1 1 2 2 3 3.

If you wanted to make diagonal stripes, you need to make forward knots all the way across from right to left.

At the end of the first knot, your strings are still 1 1 2 2 3 3 because you knotted the 1 onto another 1 and you have a 1 colored knot.

When you make the next knot, you have a 1 colored knot, but the strings now look like 1 2 1 2 3 3. The is because you used the 1 string again, but this time made a 1 colored knot onto a 2 colored string, and the 1 moved to the right of the 2 in the knotting process.

Does that make sense?

So carrying on with the same example, you continue top knot that 1 colored string onto the next 2 string, then the 3, and the second 3, and you finish the row with your strings in this order: 1 2 2 3 3 1.

If you were able to follow the example, and you understand how each knot involves 2 strings (the string making the knot, and the string the knot is made onto) then you can see how a forward knot make a knot the color of the left side string, and after the knot is made, the knotting string moves from the left side to the right side of the other string.

A backward knot, on the other hand is the opposite. If the strings are in this order 1 2 3 4 5 6 (with each number being a different color), then if you use 6 to make a backward knot onto 5, the order becomes 1 2 3 4 6 5, and the knot is the 6 color.

You didn't ask about backward-forward knots or forward backward knots, but essentially these keep the order the same as before you made the knot.

Backward forward knot order example. Let's say i wanted to make a knot with color 4 onto color 3, but I wanted the strings to stay in the same place afterwards so I could make a certain pattern. Diamonds and crosses often need such string configurations. In other words, I want a 4 colored knot in the middle, but then wanted to make 4 knot onto the 5 next instead of ending up on the left side of the 3. To do that, I need
my strings to end up in the same order as before I knotted.

Before knotting: 1 2 3 4 5 6
After knotting: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Knot Color: 4
Knotted onto: 3

Does that make sense?

Ok. Onto your final question. The joining knot. A joining knot is what you do when you start to run out of string and need to join another string to the short string. I don't make a fancy knot in this case. I just use a simple overhand knot, and make sure the tails don't show. I trim them short and hide them on the underside of the bracelet.

Joining knot tip: Put a drop of super glue or clear nail polish on the knot. This makes it more secure. I recommend those 2 "knot gluers" because they are waterproof. White glue will just dissolve if you wear the bracelet in the shower.

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