Multiple Monkey's Fist Knot Necklace
11 October 2013
Monkey's Fist Knots were originally used by sailors to weight ropes for easier throwing. Historically the knot consisted of three interconnected coils of rope, tied around something heavy (other past uses include a hiding place for precious stones or even a hand weapon on 19th century brawls). As this is a decorative knot, we've omitted the extra weight!
Our designers created a version of the monkey's fist knot that would sit flat when tied in a sequence. It's much easier than it looks and has many uses and possible combinations. If you are short of time, there is a simpler, single knot version available here. If you have more time on your hands and would like to dye your necklace afterwards you can find easy instructions for that here.
YOU'LL NEED:
- 7 meters (23 feet) of 6 mm braided natural cotton cord
- White DMC Stranded Cotton
- Scissors
- Double-sided tape
- Sewing needle (fit to string size)
- Crochet needle
PREPARE SUPPLIES:
Cut 2 pieces of the 6 mm braided natural cotton cord, each piece 1 ½ meter long.
Twist double-sided tape tightly around the ends on each, so they resemble shoelaces.
Lay them next to each other and make an overhand knot about 2/3 of the total length of the cords.
If you're having trouble following the provided steps, feel free to contact us. We'd enjoy hearing from you!
Step One
Make the two-finger 'peace' sign with your left hand. Using the shorter ends of cord, measured from the overhand knot, make 2 loose loops around your spread index and middle finger. At the end of the 2 loops, place the overhand knot in between your index and middle finger (you may need to give it more slack or pull some cord back).
Step Two
Using the shorter ends of cord, measured from the overhand knot, make 2 loose loops around your spread index and middle finger.
Step Three
At the end of the 2 loops, place the overhand knot in between your index and middle finger (you may need to give it more slack or pull some cord back).
Take the longer end from the overhand knot between your fingers and behind the loops you already made, and pass it between your index and middle finger back to where you started. Repeat this once more. There should now be 2 loops around the 2 loops you previously made in step one. Now carefully push the overhand knot into the center of the loops and don't let it escape!
This step might be a bit tricky because the last 2 loops have to pass through where your fingers are holding the knot. So, gently take your index finger out of the loops and continuing with the same (longer) end, pass it through the hole where your index finger just was. Then take out your middle finger and pass the same end back through that hole. Repeat this loop once more.
Take the longer end from the overhand knot between your fingers and behind the loops you already made, and pass it between your index and middle finger back to where you started. Repeat this once more. There should now be 2 loops around the 2 loops you previously made in step one. Now carefully push the overhand knot into the center of the loops and don't let it escape!
This step might be a bit tricky because the last 2 loops have to pass through where your fingers are holding the knot. So, gently take your index finger out of the loops and continuing with the same (longer) end, pass it through the hole where your index finger just was. Then take out your middle finger and pass the same end back through that hole. Repeat this loop once more.
Step Four
Take the longer end from the overhand knot between your fingers and behind the loops you already made, and pass it between your index and middle finger back to where you started.
Step Five
Repeat this once more. There should now be 2 loops around the 2 loops you previously made in step one. Now carefully push the overhand knot into the center of the loops and don't let it escape!
Step Six
This step might be a bit tricky because the last 2 loops have to pass through where your fingers are holding the knot. So, gently take your index finger out of the loops and continuing with the same (longer) end, pass it through the hole where your index finger just was. Then take out your middle finger and pass the same end back through that hole. Repeat this loop once more.
Pass the cord through the top hole one last time and your monkey's fist knot is nearly done.
Pass the cord through the top hole one last time and your monkey's fist knot is nearly done.
Step Seven
Now you need to tighten the knot.
Start gently pulling the loops tighter from the overhand knot, following the loops around so that each is being tightened as you go. Keep the overhand knot hidden at the center and do not pull it out of the knot. Do not try tightening the knot all at once! A crochet needle may be handy in picking up the correct loop and acting as a lever to pull it with.
When the knot has an even surface around and feels as dense as a ripe orange, roll it between your hands to finish rounding it out.
Start gently pulling the loops tighter from the overhand knot, following the loops around so that each is being tightened as you go. Keep the overhand knot hidden at the center and do not pull it out of the knot. Do not try tightening the knot all at once! A crochet needle may be handy in picking up the correct loop and acting as a lever to pull it with.
When the knot has an even surface around and feels as dense as a ripe orange, roll it between your hands to finish rounding it out.
Step Eight
Step Nine
Take one of the 4 equal pieces of cord and make 3 loops around your stretched out fingers.
Step Ten
Since you don't have a knot in the cord you're working with, continue the knot with the same end. After the last loop around your fingers, pass the cord between your fingers at the front. Then pass it behind the existing loops and back to the front.
Step Eleven
Repeat this 3 times, creating 3 loops around the previous loops. Make sure to keep the overhand knot at the center of the loops and have the double cord follow along the inside of your middle finger.
Step Twelve
Here comes the tricky part again. Gently remove your index finger and pass the working cord from front to back through the hole. Then carefully remove your middle finger and pass the cord through back to front. Repeat twice more and pull one extra time through the top hole at the end to add the last 3 loops.
Step Thirteen
Keep the overhand knot in the double cord neatly at the center while gently tightening the knot you just created.
Once the knot looks even, tug the excess cord, then remove it by cutting with scissors close to the knot. Pull the last loop of the knot slightly back so the freshly cut end hides under the other loops. Repeat this for all ends that stick out. Then repeat step 8-15 on the other side of the big knot to achieve symmetry. Repeat steps 8-15 again on either side of the smaller knots. By the end, you should have one big center knot, and two smaller knots on either side of it.
Once the knot looks even, tug the excess cord, then remove it by cutting with scissors close to the knot. Pull the last loop of the knot slightly back so the freshly cut end hides under the other loops. Repeat this for all ends that stick out. Then repeat step 8-15 on the other side of the big knot to achieve symmetry. Repeat steps 8-15 again on either side of the smaller knots. By the end, you should have one big center knot, and two smaller knots on either side of it.
Step Fourteen
Now that the knots are complete, you'll finish out using string or yarn of choice-- we've chosen DMC 6 stranded cotton. Cut a 20" (50 cm) piece and fold in half. Hold the folded end behind the double cord, about 1 cm from the last monkey's fist knot and pull the cut ends through the loop that the folded end has made.
Pull it tightly to tie the strand around the 2 cords.
Pull it tightly to tie the strand around the 2 cords.
Step Fifteen
Now wind the cotton tightly around the cords so that the strands lineup neatly next to each other. Continue winding the strand until it measures about 2 cm wide, then take a needle and thread the cut ends (if need cannot fit both ends at once, you can do one after another).
Step Sixteen
Push the needle under the 1" (2 cm) piece of string you just wound towards where you started then cut off the excess that sticks out. Repeat steps 13-15 on the opposite side of the necklace, outside the last monkey's fist knot on the other side.
Step Seventeen
To finish the necklace, use the same winding technique. Cut the double cord end so the necklace measures 24" (60 cm) in length, with the big monkey's fist knot in the center. Lay the necklace flat and shape into a circle where the ends overlap approximately 1.5" (4cm). On the overlapping ends wind the string/yarn around them to hold the necklace together, making it one complete accessory. Optional further step: dye to desired color.