How to Make a Clew Knot

Last Updated: May 20, 2021

A clew knot is a useful knot frequently used for hammock making. It is simple to do but can get a bit tricky depending on how many lengths you're handling at once, so a good numbering system can be helpful there. This article presents a clew knot using twelve half cords; you will need to adjust the measurements according to the number of cords your project requires you to work with.

Part 1

Part 1 of 12:

Getting started

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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 12:

First weave

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Take it under cord #2, then over cord #3, etc. Continue this weaving motion to the other side.

Part 3

Part 3 of 12:

Second weave

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Pass it under cord #11, then over cord #10. Continue this weaving motion back to the left side, to meet back with cord #2. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

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Part 4

Part 4 of 12:

Third weave

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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. ^{[2]
X
Research source}

Part 5

Part 5 of 12:

Fourth weave

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Take it over #10, then under #9, and so forth, until you get back to cord #3.

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Part 6

Part 6 of 12:

Fifth weave

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Keep weaving back to the right using this sequence.

Part 7

Part 7 of 12:

Sixth weave

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Keep weaving back to the left using this sequence.

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Part 8

Part 8 of 12:

Seventh weave

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Keep weaving back to the right using this sequence.

Part 9

Part 9 of 12:

Eighth weave

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Keep weaving back to the left using this sequence.

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Part 10

Part 10 of 12:

Ninth weave

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Part 11

Part 11 of 12:

Tenth weave

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Part 12

Part 12 of 12:

Finishing up

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Pull the ends of both cords #6 and #7 to tighten the clew knot.
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2
If attaching this knot as part of a hammock, the loose ends of the cords are attached in the opposite order to that in which they were woven. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- 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.
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Community Q&A

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Question

How much rope is needed?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Rope quantity varies with the tension of the weaving. More will be used if tension is loose, less if tight. Start with a 2-yard (2-meter) length of rope to get an approximate range of where you end up after weaving the clew knot. Always add more than you think you need, as nothing is worse than having to start over when there is not enough rope to make a knot. Depending on the rope thickness, about 5x the width of the rope is used up to make a single knot for tying off.

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Things You'll Need

Rope
Scissors
Ring, rod, or other form of holder to keep rope in place.
Flat surface to work upon

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[1]

[2]

[3]

How to Make a Clew Knot

Steps

Getting started

First weave

Second weave

Third weave

Fourth weave

Fifth weave

Sixth weave

Seventh weave

Eighth weave

Ninth weave

Tenth weave

Finishing up

Community Q&A

Things You'll Need

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References

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