Wood - The knotting & braiding bible : the complete guide to creative knotting including kumihimo, macrame and plaiting

Knotting and braiding are skills that have been around for centuries, and interest in the way they can be used in craft applications has grown in recent years. Although quite different, knots and braids are interlinked in many ways: they use cords or threads as a base, they are constructed with simple moves that can be combined to create quite complex structures, and they may benefit from being embellished with beads.

Ive been fascinated by knotting and braiding for many years: I remember watching my brother make his own toggle for his scout neckerchief and loved learning to tie knots myself in the Girl Guides, and at art college I used knotting techniques such as macram as a medium for some exciting wall hangings. In my first bible title, The Beaders Bible, I began to explore macram as a jewellery-making technique, so I am delighted to be able to build on these skills, researching and learning new techniques that I could share with you in this new book. Ive chosen an eclectic mix of knots and braids that are particularly suited to making jewellery, accessories and home-style applications and I hope that you will become just as enthusiastic as I am about trying out different techniques such as plaiting, Kumihimo and macram.

It is easier than ever to source materials for knotting and braiding gorgeous cords and threads in wonderful colours, interesting findings and fastenings, and easy-to-use equipment such as the disks and plates for Kumihimo. Whether you start at the beginning or dip in and out, youll find each technique clearly explained with step-by-step instructions illustrated with hundreds of photographs and diagrams. There are a dozen fabulous projects using the knots and braids in innovative ways, described in step-by-step detail with you will need requirements (see ), and as an added bonus, there are lots of additional mini ideas included throughout so that you can learn a technique and make something straight away!

If you are already a keen beader or craft person, much of the equipment and many of the materials listed are things that you will generally have in your workbox. You dont need to get everything at once as you can always improvise, but for best results it is better to use a similar material or the equipment and tools listed.

Knotting and braiding techniques can be worked in a huge variety of different threads and cords. The choices available are reviewed in this section, and for information about the most popular cords and threads used for Kumihimo see .

Once you have learnt a technique, do experiment with different materials as you will be surprised at the results. Knots can lose definition when worked with a soft cord such as satin rattail or embroidery cottons, and the shape can be much more distinct when a stiffer cord such as Superlon, wax cotton, or round leather thong is used. Before you start, consider how you want the finished item to look and choose your cord or thread accordingly. Remember that each of these cords are available in a range of thicknesses and can be worked singly or in multiple bundles.

This sample board of cords shows at a glance some of the cords that are suitable for knotting and braiding and gives you a quick guide to the range of thicknesses available in the different cords.

Satin cord (rattail)

This silky cord has a high sheen and is available in a range of thicknesses: bugtail is 1mm thick, mousetail 1.5mm thick, and rattail is 2mm thick, however, in practice all tend to be called rattail now. The cord is quite soft so it doesnt support the shape of knots very well and it isnt very hard-wearing.

Chinese knotting cord

This nylon braided cord holds its round shape when it is worked. Currently available in 0.43mm, the thicker cords are particularly suitable for knotting techniques. Finer cords are popular for macram and Shamballa-style bead bracelets. Look online for the widest colour ranges, but you will find that the choice of colour for the thicker cords is not as extensive.

Wax cotton cord

Wax cotton cord is suitable for a range of techniques. Look out for thicker 3mm cord, which works particularly well for individual knots and knotted braids as it holds its shape well. Thinner wax cotton is ideal for macram and easy to string with beads. They are available in natural shades and a range of colours, many of which follow current fashion trends.