I have seen Instructables for making sliding knots for necklaces but I wanted a sliding knot which worked in reverse. The normal sliding knot is a fisherman's knot which is the ideal knot for joining two ends of rope together.

For a bracelet the cord will be in a loop and if you tie the normal fisherman's knot and pull the ends apart the 2 individual knots will pull apart and the loop will get smaller and if you pull the ends within the loop the loop will get bigger. This is also really dangerous if used for a necklace as there is nothing to stop the loop from getting smaller and smaller with obvious results.

This is no use for a bracelet as the loop can get too small as I mentioned above and there is now way for the loop to lock so that it doesn't open up accidentally.

This Instructable will show you how to tie the reverse sliding knot, how you finish the ends of the cord is up to this is just to show how the knot is tied.

Step 1: An Overview of the Knot.

Your minimum cord length will need to be the circumference of the object it's going around, plus allow for a ~25mm for the cord in the overhand knots and then add another 200mm for the tails.

As with everything you will need to experiment with cord length as the thicker the cord the more cord will be lost in the overhand knots.

The tail length will determine how much the knots slide apart to make the loop bigger.

Step 2: Tying the First Overhand Knot

First of all tie an overhand knot in the cord about 100mm from the end of the tail. Don't pull it too tight as you will need to be able to pass the cord back through it later.

Step 3: Getting the Length

Pass the cord around what you want it for like a wrist, ankle or neck. I used a gas cannister as it made it easier to photograph.

Step 4: Tying the Second Overhand Knot

Where the cord passes over the first overhand knot tie a second overhand knot. If you make the knots sit on top of each other it will allow a comfortable gap when the two knots are pulled together.

Step 5: The Two Knots

The knots have to be on the SAME length of cord!! Also make sure that the knot is tied so the tail of the cord goes outwards to the free end.

Step 6: Passing the First Tail Through

Then pass the opposite tail through the overhand knot.

Step 7: Passing the Second Tail Through

Finally pass the other tail through the other overhand knot.

Step 8: Finished!

As you can see from the photos when the knots are together the loop is small and when the knots are pulled apart the loop is bigger.

You will need to tie stopper knots on the ends of the tails to stop the free end passing through the overhand knots then you pull the knots apart.

Finally you will need to experiment with cord length to get the optimal length for the tails, too short and the loop wont open up enough and too long the tails will be a nuisance. When used as a bracelet the tails can be tucked under the loop for extra security and to keep them out of the way.

This is my first Instructable too!!