11x4x3 tutorial part 3

Continue around the mold placing the cord OVER/UNDER on the left side and UNDER/OVER on the right side.

When you get back to the starting point you will notice that the first standing part and the running part are parallel and follow the same over/under sequence.

This indicates that the knot is complete!

You may follow the standing part around with the cord to "double" the weave and follow around again to "triple" the weave.

Carefully remove the excess slack as you go.

This shows the knot worked up to finished shape with three passes of the cord.

This pattern can be found in the Ashley Book of Knots #1342, page 239

Here's the finished product! See some design and color variations here.


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design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

11x4x3 tutorial part 2

When you get back to the starting point place the running cord UNDER the first standing part then OVER the second standing part as shown. Place the bight under the rubber band.

At the next intersection place the running part OVER the first standing part then UNDER the second standing part as shown. Place the bight under the rubber band, keep everything even and parallel.

Continue with the UNDER/OVER moves at the next intersection following the same sequence.

Continue with the OVER/UNDER pattern at the next intersection.

Adjust the position of the rubber bands to keep everything even.

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design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

11x4x3 turks head knot tutorial part 1

This tutorial shows how to make an 11 bight by 4 part turks head knot out of 3 mm cord.
"Bight" is the place where the cord changes direction.
"Part" is the cord which is either "standing" (not moving) or "running" which is the live end.

Start with about 7 ft of cord. Make a three bight circumference of the mold placing the bights under the rubber bands as shown.

At the first overlap place the running end OVER the stationary or standing part as shown.

At the second overlap place the running part UNDER the standing part as shown.

Draw the cord though carefully and place the bight under the rubber band.

at the third overlap place the running part OVER the standing part as shown placing the bight under the rubber band.

The cords should be parallel and even.

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design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

Part 4, building a 13 part turks head knot bracelet - Adding more parts

This is part 4 of the tutorial:

Keep working the running part across the knot from side to side reversing direction after going OVER the last standing part.


bulk cord in white and hand dyed colors available here

Here the edge pattern is clearly established and visible.

Each time the running part crosses the first standing part be sure it is opposite the previous strand. If the previous strand goes over the parallel strand then pass the running part under. This keeps the over-under pattern intact.

On the outer edge the running strand must always emerge OVER the last sanding part. Work backwards to set up the over-under pattern to ensure that the last crossing is always OVER.

The open diamonds will get smaller as you add parallel strands. You will also notice that every other circuit around the knot appears to exactly follow the parallel strand on the opposite side of the diamond. This pattern will become clear as the number of strands increases bringing the parallel parts closer together.

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Part 1, building a 13 part turks head knot bracelet in pictures

This is the second part of the tutorial:

Unwind the cord and work out all the kinks so it is relaxed. Find the center of the cord about 15 ft from one end and place a loop under the left hand rubber band as shown.

(The rest can be coiled up and placed inside the cardboard tube)

roll the tube towards you and go half way around the tube and place another loop, (or "bight") under the right hand rubber band (on the opposite side)


bulk cord in white and hand dyed colors available here

keep going around the tube and cross OVER the first (standing) lead. Place a bight under the left hand rubber band opposite the existing bight on the right.

Here you can see the pattern clearly. Continue around placing new bights opposite existing bights. See how it creates a diamond shape?

When you get to the starting point, place the bight under the left hand rubber band placing the running lead OVER the standing lead.
Remember this move, you will use it to complete the rest of the knot.

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need something easier? Try this four part design