How to Make a Clew Knot
Fold six lengths of cord in half., Number the cords in your head., Pull the cords apart evenly., Get ready to weave., Weave cord #1 from the left to right., Take cord #12, the first cord on the right this time., Pick up cord #2 and pass it over cord...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Fold six lengths of cord in half.
Attach to a ring, rod or other form of holder to keep in place.
Secure with a larks head knot. -
Step 2: Number the cords in your head.
Use numbers 1 to 12 and keep the numbering system steady in your mind as you work with the cords.
If you can't remember the cord numbers very well, use markers such as small plastic bread tabs with the numbers written on them
- slip these over the cords, then shift and remove these as needed, , Pull them taut to straighten.
As cords are done with, you'll be tucking them off to the side when they are no longer needed. , Weaving goes left-to-right, then right-to-left and each set of left-to-right/right-to-left must alternate between under/over and over/under.
The instructions will make this clear. , Take it under cord #2, then over cord #3, etc.
Continue this weaving motion to the other side. , Pass it under cord #11, then over cord #10.
Continue this weaving motion back to the left side, to meet back with cord #2. , Weave to the right, going under cord #4 this time, etc.
This is an over-under sequence, the opposite of the first and second weave rows. , Take it over #10, then under #9, and so forth, until you get back to cord #3. , Keep weaving back to the right using this sequence. , Keep weaving back to the left using this sequence. , Keep weaving back to the right using this sequence. , Keep weaving back to the left using this sequence. ,,, Pull the ends of both cords #6 and #7 to tighten the clew knot. , This means that cords #6 and #7 will be attached at the center of the hammock rod or ring.
Attach cords #8 and #5, then cords #9 and #4.
Attach cords #10 and #3, then cords #11 and #2.
This leaves cords #12 and #1 to be attached last. -
Step 3: Pull the cords apart evenly.
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Step 4: Get ready to weave.
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Step 5: Weave cord #1 from the left to right.
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Step 6: Take cord #12
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Step 7: the first cord on the right this time.
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Step 8: Pick up cord #2 and pass it over cord #3.
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Step 9: Return the weaving to the left with cord #11.
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Step 10: Weave cord #3 under cord #4 and over cord #5.
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Step 11: Weave cord #10 under cord #9 and over cord #8.
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Step 12: Weave cord #4 over cord #5 and under cord #6.
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Step 13: Weave cord #9 over cord #8 and under cord #7.
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Step 14: Weave cord #5 under cord #6 and over cord #7
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Step 15: then under cord #8.
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Step 16: Weave cord #8 under cord #7 and over cord #6.
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Step 17: Do not weave cords #6 and #7.
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Step 18: If attaching this knot as part of a hammock
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Step 19: the loose ends of the cords are attached in the opposite order to that in which they were woven.
Detailed Guide
Attach to a ring, rod or other form of holder to keep in place.
Secure with a larks head knot.
Use numbers 1 to 12 and keep the numbering system steady in your mind as you work with the cords.
If you can't remember the cord numbers very well, use markers such as small plastic bread tabs with the numbers written on them
- slip these over the cords, then shift and remove these as needed, , Pull them taut to straighten.
As cords are done with, you'll be tucking them off to the side when they are no longer needed. , Weaving goes left-to-right, then right-to-left and each set of left-to-right/right-to-left must alternate between under/over and over/under.
The instructions will make this clear. , Take it under cord #2, then over cord #3, etc.
Continue this weaving motion to the other side. , Pass it under cord #11, then over cord #10.
Continue this weaving motion back to the left side, to meet back with cord #2. , Weave to the right, going under cord #4 this time, etc.
This is an over-under sequence, the opposite of the first and second weave rows. , Take it over #10, then under #9, and so forth, until you get back to cord #3. , Keep weaving back to the right using this sequence. , Keep weaving back to the left using this sequence. , Keep weaving back to the right using this sequence. , Keep weaving back to the left using this sequence. ,,, Pull the ends of both cords #6 and #7 to tighten the clew knot. , This means that cords #6 and #7 will be attached at the center of the hammock rod or ring.
Attach cords #8 and #5, then cords #9 and #4.
Attach cords #10 and #3, then cords #11 and #2.
This leaves cords #12 and #1 to be attached last.
About the Author
Richard Robinson
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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