decoding the knot: bights x parts x strands knot 2467

  To count the parts on a turks head knot follow one part as it crosses the face of the knot and count the number of "over" and "under" crossings. In this example you can count five crossings and add the one you are following for a total of six.

This design is a "diamond pattern" shown in the Ashley Book of Knots on p. 241, pattern #1350

Homework: why does Ashley call this a diamond pattern? Leave a comment with your answer below.

 To count the bights on a turks head knot count the number of places where the cord changes direction on the rim. In this example there are 17 bights.


This design is described as being between a "square" and a "narrow" turks head. It was made to be 7 5/8" (194 mm) inside circumference a comfortable size for a stylish nautical bracelet.

The number of strands or passes is three. The design can be described as a 17 x 6 x 3 corresponding to the number of bights x number of parts x number of strands.






design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

Painting the night sky collection on Etsy

This collection title Painting the Night Sky was made by Tanya from Ukraine who has an Etsy  shop Freyja Toys filled with Original knitted dolls, crochet jewelry and home decor. Connect with her on FACEBOOK or PINTEREST

The signature item is this striking original photograph Painting the Night Sky made by Joel Robison available in his shop boywonder where he keeps more whimsical images than you have wall space to hang.

Another very spacey photo yellow flower bud night stars moon made by Julie who observes the world through her lens with patience revealing the beauty all around...the shop is BokehEverAfter Owl & Nature Photography Prints Slow down and take a look.

The featured item in this collection is this ombré blue white nylon turks head knot bracelet which has been made from de-cored nylon cord (makes it more flexible and soft) and then dip-dyed to create the shaded color. Just the right accessory for those stargazing nights. More like this in my Etsy shop in the blended color section.

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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< start over page one 

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.

                              go to page two >


design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

Jewelry Box collection on Etsy

This cool collection Jewelry Box was put together by Jane Kilpatrick Schott a self described interior Decorator, Textile Whore, Pillow Empress & High End Scavenger. She has an Etsy shop janeschott
Empress of The Eye filled with pillows. Go ahead, sleep on it...
I think this is cool because she included this Bead Embroidery Bracelet made by Évi Csizmadia Lajosné (no I'm not going to try and pronounce this...) which is part of an inspired collection of work in her Etsy shop Vicus. It has awesome glass spikes which have to be the first I've seen.

I also like the design of this Five Hammered Stacked 1mm Band Ring made by Neta Wolpe part of her Etsy shop NetaJewelry filled with handmade jewelry designer gold wedding bands and lots of other elegant goodies. Find her on the web at Neta Wolpe - Jewelry
The featured item in this collection (thank you Jane!) is this rope nautical bracelet made with traditional marlinspike know-how. The cotton cord is a nice hefty material and the waxed thread was used for securing the frayed ends of lines back in the day aboard the clipper ships. This is a unique adjustable  design that expands to fit over a big hand, then you tug the loop end and secure it with the monkey fist knot reducing the size to a comfortable loose fit. See size and color variations of this bracelet in the nautical knot bracelets section of my Etsy shop.

even part turks head knot bracelets with color accents 2453 2454 2455

 Three color variations based on a narrow turks head knot bracelet design which uses an even number of parts. In these examples there are four (4) parts which creates a center overlap pattern where the colored cord can be placed.
This example (#2454) uses a 15 bight pattern about 6 1/4" (158 mm) inside circumference and a light blue accent. Would be a size "small".
Available here 2454

This example (#2453) uses a 17 bight pattern about 7" (178 mm) inside circumference and a grey accent.
The more common three part rope bracelets are examples of the odd number of part knots. These do not have the center overlap like the even part patterns. Instead they have the ridge formed by the crossing parts.
Available here 2453

This example (#2455) uses a 15 bight pattern about 6 3/4" (172 mm) inside circumference and a tangerine yellow accent.

Illustrated instructions can be bound in the Ashley Book of Knots (ABOK) page 239 - 240, pattern numbers 1342 and 1345
Available here 2455 in my Etsy shop

design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

rainbow rope bracelets

A rainbow of colors hand dyed in 100% cotton cord and made into super cool rope bracelets. This batch is a size "small" made to fit most teens and smaller adults.

 Colors (left to right):
purple
navy blue
fog grey
walnut taupe
starboard green
bright yellow
tangerine orange
fuchsia pink
lighthouse red

Find the entire collection here




design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

soft silver synthetic adjustable cuff 2374

Built from a legacy stash of soft 3 mm braided cord this special cuff is designed to slip on and then work up to a nice snug fit on your wrist. The material is a mixed synthetic fiber blend predominately a silver color with lime green and black threads interwoven.

Once drawn up to a comfortable size the loose ends may be tucked under and trimmed off. The result is a seamless cuff that is as durable as it is soft.

The knot design is a 9 part 13 bight plain turks head. Find an online tutorial here that shows how you can make a similar but much wider design from an ordinary piece of cotton cord.

Unlike cotton this material can be wetted and dried repeatedly without significant shrinkage making this a perfect accessory for long term wear.

See this item listed in my Etsy shop here.

For special orders or other custom work please use the conversation utility and reference this blog page.



design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop

back to school blues on Etsy

I have a neighbor who just started kindergarten and she is very happy about going with the other kids every day. Some students not so much...for them Valerie created this back to school blues collection  
Check out her shop Cabin filled with cute fashion accessories, art and housewares with a wooden touch.

I'm all about knots and so is this knitted scarf necklace made by Andreia from Cascais, Portugal where she knits. Her shop name tricotaria says it all and is filled with eco accessories, necklaces, cowls, scarves, and bags.

I'm also all about the sea and this Sea Coral in Denim IV 11x14 print is an elegant addition to any frame. See more of Kerri Shipp's skillful work in her shop driftwoodinteriors all the way around the globe in Queensland!

The featured item in this blue collection is this denim blue BASIC turks head knot rope bracelet which comes to you in an adjustable form so that you may make it fit just right on your wrist. There are lots of other colors you can choose from in the DIY BASIC bracelets section of WhatKnotshop on Etsy. 

Autumn is Coming collection on Etsy

Ok this is the pottery review edition...of the collection Autumn is Coming put together by vik and ig creators of Waldorf Dolls and environmentally friendly toys available in their shop aptly named Craftelina.

These Set of 6 Stoneware Dessert Bowls in Fog Blue Gray made by Patricia Brown are quite elegant and the color is wonderful. See more of this  work from the Ideal Pottery in the shop LittleIdealPottery located in San Angeleno TX.

I was taken with these Set of 3 Stoneware Tapas Cups - Blue Gray - Appetizer Bowls - Dip Cups made by Jan from Skaneateles, New York. The form and color are very skillful. Doesn't really matter what you use them for you just want to hold these rounded forms. More nice work here in JanFairhurstPottery.

The featured item in this collection is a very simple blue grey cotton turks head knot rope bracelet made with soft hand dyed cotton cord. The endless variations of grey that come out of the dye baths make for similar but unique colors. See more of these in the solid colors section of WhatKnotShop on Etsy. 

three wrap rope bracelet or necklace design 2284

Received a special request to make a wrap around  style rope bracelet from a customer who liked the look of the rope grommet bracelets and wanted something more contemporary. White can be a difficult color to keep looking clean, her choice was grey a color that is very complementary.

Find a similar design here in the Etsy shop.

 The materials are a hand dyed grey cotton cord and waxed cotton thread.

The design starts with a 3x3x3 monkey fist button knot. The extra length cords are then worked into a traditional twisted rope. This process is done on a jig. The end loops are wrapped around a pin on the jig and secured with the waxed cotton whipping thread.

The loose ends are laid parallel and secured with another whipping.

This design works as a three-wrap bracelet for a smaller wrist (about 6 3/4") and can also be used as a choker style necklace. The overall length is about 19".




design and photographs © copyright 2012 WhatKnotShop