Table of Contents
Guide
A NOTE TO ADULTS:
Please review the instructions
for these craft projects before
your children make them. Be
sure to help them with any
steps you do not think they can
safely do on their own.
A NOTE TO KIDS:
Be sure to ask an adult
for help with these
craft activities when you
need it. Always put your
safety first!
Published in the United States of America by Cherry Lake Publishing
Ann Arbor, Michigan
www.cherrylakepublishing.com
Photo Credits: Page 4, lzf/Shutterstock; page 5, Brent Hofacker/
Shutterstock; page 6, Jutawan Diloksambandh/Shutterstock; page 7,
Lapina/Shutterstock; page 9, The Red-E/Shutterstock; page 13,
Sergey Mironov/Shutterstock; page 29, Jeffrey B. Banke/Shutterstock;
page 32, Charlie Rau.
Copyright 2017 by Cherry Lake Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any
form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Rau, Dana Meachen, 1971 author.
Title: Making knot projects / by Dana Meachen Rau.
Description: Ann Arbor, Michigan : Cherry Lake Publishing, [2016] |
Series: How-to library. Crafts | Audience: Grades 4 to 6. | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016001611| ISBN 9781634714204 (lib. bdg.) |
ISBN 9781634714365 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781634714280 (pdf) |
ISBN 9781634714440 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: MacrambeJuvenile literature. | Knots and splices
Juvenile literature. | Handicraft--Juvenile literature.
Classification: LCC TT840.M33 R38 2016 | DDC 746.42/2dc23
LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016001611
Cherry Lake Publishing would like to acknowledge the work of the
Partnership for 21st Century Learning. Please visit www.p21.org
for more information.
Printed in the United States of America
Corporate Graphics
July 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why Knot?
You make a knot every time you tie your shoe.
Knots are very useful. Boaters and fishermen use knots to
tie down sails or pull in lobsters. Rock climbers use knots to
keep themselves safe while climbing. Search-and-rescue teams
know all sorts of helpful knots. So do campers, soldiers, and
farmers. Knitters and crocheters use knots to make sweaters
and blankets. Doctors use knots to make stitches.
You probably tie knots every day. Need proof? Look at
your shoes. A handy knot probably holds your laces in place!
If you are a Boy Scout or Girl Scout, you may also have
learned how to make many other types of knots.
Knots can also be decorative. You can use them to make
jewelry, belts, key chains, and even works of art. So try some
of the knotting activities in this book. Why knot? Its fun!
A pretzel is a tasty sort of knot!
Knot History
Nets are made by knotting ropes together.
Knots have probably been around for as long as people have
needed to lift, pull, or attach things. Ancient people used
knots to make tools such as arrows, snares , and nets to catch
animals for food. They used knots to pull stones for large
building projects such as the pyramids in Egypt.
Ancient knots were both practical and artistic. Sailors
used knots to tie down sails and make hammocks. In South
America, the Incas knotted cords called quipus to keep track
of important numbers and other information. Chinese knots
and Celtic knots are beautiful works of art.
Many textile arts involve knots. Knitting is a way of
making knots on two long needles. Crocheting creates knots
using a hook. Macram is an art form combining simple knots
to make amazing creations.
You can make some amazing knot creations of your own!
Crafting techniques such as crochet and knitting use
knots to turn yarn into blankets, sweaters, and other
useful objects.
Basic Supplies
You dont need many supplies to make knots. The most
important thing youll need is plenty of cord.
Types of Cord
Embroidery floss is made of thin, gathered strands of
thread. It is inexpensive and comes in every color you can
imagine. This type of cord is best for making friendship
bracelets.
Paracord is a lightweight nylon cord used for parachute
lines. Its smooth surface is easy to tie and creates a nice
look for decorative projects.
Hemp cord has a rough, natural look. You can buy it in its
natural brown color or dyed in other colors.
You can find these cordsas well as many other types made
of silk, leather, cotton, plastic, and elasticat craft and sewing
stores.
Embroidery
floss
Paracord
Hemp cord
Other Supplies
A knotting board is made up of a piece of cardboard that is about
the size of a notebook, and a binder clip. The board provides a
flat work surface, and the clip holds your work in place.
You will also need scissors for cutting cord, a tape measure
for measuring it, and a straight pin to help you take out knots
if you make a mistake.
If youre making bracelets and belts, you will need clasps to
hold them on. Clasps can be found in the jewelry or beading
sections of craft stores. They come in many types, such as
spring rings, lobster claws, magnetic clasps, D-rings, and slide-
release buckles.
For some of the projects in this
book, you will need index cards,
beads, and sticks. Its also helpful
to keep a pencil and paper handy
to sketch ideas, draw patterns, or
keep track of rows.
SAFETY TIP
Paracord unravels when you cut
it. The ends need to be burned
with matches or a lighter so
they melt and form a seal. Do
not use matches yourself. Ask
an adult to help with this part
of the paracord bracelet project
(see page 24).
Basic Knots and Ends
Tying the Knots
Larks Head Knot
1. You will need one cord. Fold it in half to make a loop.
2. Place the loop over the top of a rod or some other object.
3. Thread the loose ends through the loop and pull tight.
Overhand Knot
1. Make a loop so that the working
end lays over the rest of the cord.
The working end is the end of the
cord that you are tying into knots.
2. Tuck the working end into the loop from
back to front. Pull on both ends to tighten.
Half Hitch Knot
1. You will need two cords. One
cord is the base cord. The other
is the tying cord.
2. Place the tying cord over the
base cord to form a loop. If you
want to work toward the right,
the loop needs to be on the left
side of the base cord. If you want
to work toward the left, the loop
needs to be on the right side of
the base cord.
3. Tuck the working end of the
tying cord under the base cord
and up through the loop.
4. Holding the base cord taut , pull
on the tying cord so that the
