A KNOTS BOARD

There are few instructions for how to make knots until recently. The skill for knotting was always passed on from master to students or from mother to daughter, not in writing, but in memory. Artifacts are few, too, because knots are usually made with natural materials like silk and cotton and they deteriorate. The modern knotters study ancient paintings and sculptures and painstakingly work out how to make them. I have collected many such instructions. When I travel in China, I also come across many elderly ladies who have stored their knowledge of knotting in their heads. They do not need any instruction books but work out knots by memory. These ladies are remarkable. They don't need boards to lay out their patterns. All they use are their fingers. I many times sat at their feet and humbly learned from them. I now have instructions for over 200 different knots. I am showing you some here. The display board is not finished yet. Many will be added in the future.

Traditionally there are eleven basic knots and all other knots derive from these basic knots, either by extending them, or, by combining knots. However I do very often come across knots which do not follow this rule. Making basic knots is straightforward. You can follow instructions. There are many books in Asia with instructions. You don't really need to read Chinese because most instructions come with diagrams. The complicate task is to combine knots in order to make up a piece of knotting artworks.

Now, you may like to see my knotting artworks. Please click one of the following.

KNOTTING ONE, KNOTTING TWO, KNOTTING THREE, CHINESE BUTTONS

If you want to see my bead jewellery, click JEWELLERY ONE, JEWELLERY TWO

I have a large collection of jade ornaments. I have sorted them out and upload some images of them. Click JADE to view them.