Thursday, 9 May 2024

Craft: How to do Sliding Knots to Fasten Jewellery

 

This week I learnt how to do sliding knots, or slip knots, to fasten jewellery on waxed cotton cord. I made a video showing me using the technique on a crystal pendulum pendant. It is a bit more fiddly than just tying a regular knot, but it creates a fastening that's adjustable and looks neat. 

When doing a slip knot it helps to also use a cord-threading needle or a hairgrip or something like the plastic placking clip I use in the video. Here's how to do it:
  • Place both ends of cord along the needle/hairgrip/packing clip, with the eye of the needle or rounded bit of clip towards the centre of where you want it to fasten, and the ends of the cord pointing in opposite directions. 
  • Wrap the left cord around the right cord and the length of the needle/hairgrip/packing clip three times, making loops
  • Thread the end of the left cord through the eye of the needle or rounded bit of clip and the cord loops.
  • Pull it right through and tighten the knot a little, but not too much
  • Repeat in reverse on the other side.
I'll be suggesting this technique in my Charms, Amulets and Talismans class at Treadwell's this weekend, where everyone will get a chance to thread charms on a cord bracelet. You can see an example I made in the photo.


3 comments:

Pogodragon said...

I have necklaces and such that I've made using this type of knot, but every time I do it I have to reinvent it from scratch.

Thank you for this!

Badwitch said...

Glad you found it useful!

Leanna said...

I love making bracelets and using the sliding knot makes it easy for them to be "one size fits all."