Fun with Chinese Knotting. Lydia Chen
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A white pan chang knot surrounded by three ru yi knots produces a striking contrast, much like the complementary affect of leaves and flowers. Combined with a blue-and-white porcelain vase, the whole ornament forms a serene and harmonious creation.
See project 133 on page 159 for instructions on making this ornamental hanging.
Embellishing Knot Formations
In addition to considering factors such as the color scheme, format and choice of cords during the initial stages of designing a knot formation, it is always a good idea to explore the possibility of incorporating small objects in the design. Such ornaments may include small hanging objects, beads, tassels, thread bindings and frames.
Hanging objects
Apart from jade or other semiprecious stones, old coins, cloth sachets, porcelain vases, porcelain and wooden sculptures, medallions and other trinkets can be used to grace a knot formation. Care must be taken, however, to ensure that the color, texture and size of the hanging object blend well with the knot formation and that it is of an appropriate size. For example, in diagram 44, the hanging ornament blends perfectly with the knot formation in terms of color, shape and size. It also fits snugly into the lower portion of the knot formation.
Beads
Jade, wood, porcelain, glass, metal and plastic beads, even love beans or fruit cores, can inject life into a knotted arrangement, their different colors, shapes, sizes and brightness adding variations and highlights. In diagram 45, green and blue beads have been added by simply pulling the cord ends through the beads at the top and bottom of the main knot, with the cords then knotted to hold them in place. Beads are also effective inserted in the outer loops of a knot, as shown in diagram 46.
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See project 134 on page 160 for instructions on making this knot formation.
Thread bindings
Thread bindings of similar or contrasting colors can both embellish and stiffen a knot formation, as shown in the outer loop in diagram 47. Binding the cord ends below a major knot is a variation on using beads or a small knot to enhance a design. Binding the join of two cord ends can both improve the appearance of a knot and hide the join. The cord ends in a tassel can also be folded back and fastened with thread or, as shown in diagram 48, the ends can be tied into a knot and then fastened with threads to the tassel cords.
Tassels
Tassels normally form the last part of an ornament and give it grace and life. Since the length of a tassel can be easily adjusted, it has a harmonious effect on the overall knot formation. There are many different types of tassels. Besides the five types taught in this book (pages 111–117), simple tassels can be made by folding back the cords and hooking them to the last knot, then tying the upper part of the tassel with threads, as in diagram 49. Alternatively, after making a knot formation, the cord ends can be tied into small knots and fastened with threads, as shown in diagram 50. Or each cord end can be strung with beads, then folded back and the cord ends bound with threads to prevent the beads from sliding down, as shown in diagram 51.
Frames
Knot formations can be held in position with jade or other rings or rattan, wood or metal frames. One way of using a frame is to line it tightly with flat knots or creeper knots. Another is to leave spaces around a central knot, as in diagram 52. The knot and frame are then linked using the outer loop hook-up technique (page 16).
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See project 135 on page 160 for instructions on making this knot formation.
Cord Materials
Traditional Chinese knots were – and still are – made from silk or cotton cords. For the contemporary knotter, however, there are literally hundreds of types of cord to choose from: jute, hemp, twine, string, wool, leather, synthetic fiber, metal wire. In fact, anything that can be bent and tied without tearing has potential. Many materials can be found in your own home or neighborhood, while others need to be purchased from stores dealing in crafts, yarn, embroidery, macramé and tailor’s supplies.
Because different materials have different textures, knot formations made from different cords will exhibit different styles and give totally different results. Because silk cords are fine, they are most suitable for classical knot formations. Cotton cords are thicker and tougher and hold their shape well. Jute cords express roughness and freedom and hence are suitable for bigger knot formations. Woolen cords have shorter fibers and tend to fray easily. They also tend not to show a clear-cut weave. Nylon and other synthetic cords are smooth and hard and tend to be loose, but if tightened properly are ideal for making stiffer knot formations. Generally, rigid cord is hard to control as it will not conform to shape. On the other hand, an overly pliant cord will not take on any shape at all. The secret lies in striking a balance between the two.
The grains in a cord will also have an impact on the visual effect of a knot. A cord with simple grains will not overshadow a knot pattern, whereas cords with complicated grains – intricately woven, unevenly textured or variegated cords – tend to detract attention from the knots themselves and muddle their patterns.
It is also important to ensure that a knot formation and the accompanying decorative objects are compatible with the cord chosen. Bigger and rougher objects go with thicker cords, small, elegant pieces with finer ones. To express grace and elegance, soft cords are ideal. To highlight a clear-cut weave, hard cords are best.
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