How to Make a Chinese Slip Knot?

 Hi All,

I recently bought mala bracelet from Shakya Design. The closure is what they call a "chinese slip knot", I've seen it before on other bracelets. It's an adjustable closure and it slides like a slip knot you'd make for a macrame or cord necklace or bracelet. The difference however, is that it looks like there are square knots that "sit" on top of the overlapping cords.

Does anyone know how to make this type of closure? I've done some research on the web and while I can find instructions on how to make the slip knot, I can't find anything on this type of closure. I can't figure out how I'd make the square knots so that the underlying cords would still move. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Deb

HI Deb,

First I want to welcome you to the group.

Now hope I can explain this for you to understand.

You take one end of the cord and wrap it around the other end of the cord (now this is the important part) you tie it back onto itself then you do the same with the other end of the cord. When you are done and, if I explained it well enough,  you should be able to pull on both knots and it should move.

Hope I was able to explain it well enough to understand. It can be tricky. As many times as I have tied this knot I still sometimes mess it up and have to stop and think about how to do it

Let me know if it worked for you.

The cords of your bracelet are the core cords of your square knot sliding closure. You need a separate cord to tie the square knots over your core. Since no knots are tied with the core cords, they slide. Finishing the closure is tricky. In a "quick and dirty" method, cut the square knotting cords short and heat seal or glue them to the closure. This is not very secure, and also tends to be unsightly (but only on close inspection). For a more refined and secure finish, cut the knotting cords close to the sliding knots and heat seal (or fray check) the cords, making sure that they don't stick, then tuck/hide the cord ends in the knot and sew them securely in place.

An alternate finish works better if you start your closure with free ends (so you have 4 ends to finish vs 2). Then slide some beads onto the cord ends or tie a decorative knot and then finish the ends (heat seal, fray check, sew), then at the corners of the sliding closure when the cord ends come out, sew at the corners to secure. Note, that if the cord you are working with is too thin to sew, you are probably OK. Also if you're working with hemp or other natural fibre cord, then heat sealing won't work and fray checking is likely unnecessary.

Carol

I have a book called "Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery" by Suzen Millodot that has all kinds of nice patterns and good diagrams.  I have a hard time with knots if I can't see a pic of how the threads should go.  You can get the book at Amazon, but I think I bought it at Borders or Barnes.

 I've been making that same knot and variations of it on corded rings, bracelets, and anklets for years and Inever knew that this is what it was called. *laughz* I just called it a slipknot and let it go at that. Well, that is the new thing that I have learned today. I can go to bed guilt free now. *laughz*

 Billy ;o)

 Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the instructions!

Ahhhhhhh.....well, why did't I think of that?! It never occurred to me that you'd just use a different cord to make the square knots. i can see where the difficultiy is in finishing off the square knot bit. Thanks so much for the instruction!

Hi, I just bought the same bracelet and have been trying to figure this out.  I am unclear on the directions given here.  Can you provide any clarification.  Thanks Laura

You might have seen hemp jewelry that are simple to look though beautiful but inexpensive.  You can make the hemp bracelets easily with the addition of few beads, and that looks great.  This article will educate you on how to make hemp bracelets. 

Making hemp bracelets are simple and real fun.  You can do it during a long journey in order to break the boredom.  Just learn the basic knots with twine and beads and this would help you to pass the time and personalize your creativity and style.   

Prior to understanding how to make hemp bracelets, it is essential to knowhow to prepare the hemp. 

You might have seen hemp jewelry that are simple to look though beautiful but inexpensive.  You can make the hemp bracelets easily with the addition of few beads, and that looks great.  This article will educate you on how to make hemp bracelets. 

Making hemp bracelets are simple and real fun.  You can do it during a long journey in order to break the boredom.  Just learn the basic knots with twine and beads and this would help you to pass the time and personalize your creativity and style.   

Prior to understanding how to make hemp bracelets, it is essential to knowhow to prepare the hemp. 

Jsmaz:

I have a book called "Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery" by Suzen Millodot that has all kinds of nice patterns and good diagrams.  I have a hard time with knots if I can't see a pic of how the threads should go.  You can get the book at Amazon, but I think I bought it at Borders or Barnes.

 

 I have this book and I have another chinese knot book, I'll have to find it later.  You don't need another piece of cord, it's all done with the one cord, it just has to be long enough to be able to tie the knots and be adustable.  There are variations too, there isn't just one way to do it.

Deb 

There is a free video tutorial at FMG it's called Knots Tutorial #7915 just go to the home page down at the bottom they three different resource selections pick the video one it's the center one. 

Push the "go to"or "view" then where it says selection type in 7915 there will be several bead projects that come up under thoughs it will show a drawn knot - Titled Knots Tutorial #7915 chose this option and watch the video she calls it an adjustable knot.

At least I think this is the same one your looking for. Hope I got it right.

      sellen

 Okay, I got my two books out.  It's called a sliding button knot.  This is a more decorative knot.  I've seen simpler versions.  In Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewelry, it's on pages 22-26.  The other book I have doesn't cover the "sliding" version of the button knot.  It's more for decorative chinese knots.