How to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot

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The Chinese sliding knot is an adjustable coil-based design. This can be quite useful if you want to make adjustable necklaces or bracelets . The knot is simple, though it may take some practice to perfect it. Read on to learn how!

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Tying the Knot

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  1. Pull a long cord into a "U" or horseshoe shape. so that the ends are close together.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Pull one end past the other so that they overlap by about four inches (10 cm). The overlapping ends should lie parallel to one another.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Bend the tip and bring it back along the outside of the loop. You don't need to do anything with the inner parallel end. [1]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Hold the inner end of the cord together with the looped-back outer end. You should be holding three parallel "layers" of the cord at the thickest point. Make sure that you have plenty of extra cord at the outer end: you will use this to finish the knot. Pull the end of the cord with one hand, and pinch the loops together with the other. [2]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Wrap it over, then under – not under, then over. It might help to use your dominant or most dexterous hand.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Keep wrapping the loose end around all three other layers of cord. Wrap at least 2-3 times, until you either run out of cord or cover almost all of the "three-layered" section. Be careful not to cross the coil over itself, or you will tie a messy knot. [3]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    You don't need much – the knot is almost finished. Make sure that there is enough cord protruding that it is not in danger of slipping out.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Slide the "coil" over the remaining bit of loop to secure it. You may need to pinch the right side of the large loop with the ring and pinkie fingers of one hand.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Testing and Expanding the Knot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    It should move easily. Be careful not to slide it right off the free end of the cord. Consider tying a sturdy knot at the very tip of the sliding end. This way, the length of the rope will be adjustable, but you will not be able to accidentally slide the rope out of the knot.
  2. Consider flipping the cord over and repeating the knot on the non-knotted end. This will leave you with two sliding knots that can be pulled together or apart as needed, making a large closed loop. This is the design that people use for making jewelry.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Chinese Sliding Knot
    Pull the two knots closer together to loosen the cord. Pull the two knots further apart to tighten.
  4. The sliding knot is great for creating simple jewelry that is meant to be tightened. Try slipping beads or charms onto the cord before you tie it.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is that a candy cane attached to the leather?
    Community Answer
    It looks like a piece of formed clay to represent a bead to me, or maybe a purchased bead.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6
  • Question
    How do I tie the second knot?
    Community Answer
    The same as the first. Pull the untied end through the knotted end and proceed to knot the same way as the first one.
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  • Question
    Did you tie this knot with a huge Tootsie Roll? Where can I get one?
    Community Answer
    This size Tootsie Roll doesn't exist. This person probably just used something such as a shiny brown rope.
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      Tips

      • Give yourself plenty of cord to work with at first. It may be hard to estimate how much you need until you are more experienced.
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      • Practice and don't give up! The Chinese sliding knot may take some work to get right consistently.
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      • The Chinese sliding knot is sometimes called the Triple Connection Knot.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/slip-knot/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2GhB8k7vBw
      3. ↑ http://www.shopenzed.com/bone-pendants-how-to-tie-sliding-knots-xidc20859.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a Chinese sliding knot, start with the two ends of a string together so the rope makes a “U” shape. Curl one end around the other end so they overlap by about 4 inches. Then, create 2 more bends in the outside end. Next, pinch the bottom 3 strands together and loop the top strand underneath the other 3 so it points upward. Wrap it around another 2-3 times and push it through the loop left by the other strands. Finally, slide the coil towards the loop to secure the knot. For more tips, including how to use the Chinese sliding knot to make jewelry, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jul 22, 2023

        "This article has helped me be able to tie several pieces of jewelry, including bracelets and necklaces. It has even ..." more
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