Introduction: How to Tie a Single Strand Star Knot
More knotty stuff on my blog: Stormdrane's Blog
This video will show how to tie a single strand star knot. I followed Fred Creativ'Knots photo tutorial for tying the knot, but had comments from others that they were having trouble following the path of the cord, so between the video and the photos, this will hopefully help those that needed to see more. I've read that this knot is also shown in Stuart E. Grainger's book, 'Turkshead Alternatives', which is out of print.
I used a three foot long length of cord, but you can use more if needed for a longer length paracord lanyard or wrist loop. Also used were a Jumbo Perma-Lok lacing needle, torch lighter, scissors, and hemostats.
A large portion of the video is in the time consuming part of dressing the knot, meaning tightening it up as you work the slack out, so those that already have experience with monkey's fists and Turk's head type knots will already be familiar with that aspect and can skip over those parts. Those that are tying for the first time need to see the gradual process of that work, otherwise they often try to finish too quickly and end up with an ugly tangled mess. Have patience and take your time. ;)
I often use a scaffold knot/multiple overhand sliding knot for attachment use with paracord lanyards and fobs.
8 Comments
10 years ago
I got lost 10 seconds into the video...
11 years ago on Introduction
I love knots of all kinds & many are very decorative. But I don't rock climb, sail, fish or do many of the regular outdoor activities that knots are often used in. Can you suggest a few sites that give multiple & somewhat unusual ways knots can be used in everyday regular activities, please? I'd like to put my knots to use. Rather than simply have fun learning them.
Now your knot is a work of art & beautiful in its own rights but I'm curious if it actually has a practical use. Does it?
Jude
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
You could look through the thousands of posts in forums and blogs where knot work has been shown as lanyards, fobs, mats, and coverings, where they can be both decorative and useful.
Knots have been used for thousands of years for simple tasks like securing clothing and footwear, building shelters, handling animals, and transporting goods. Looking though historical photos, drawings, even a visit to a museum, and you can find yourself searching for knot work and how it was and still is applied to everyday life.
The gallery on KHWW.net is worth a visit, and many examples of usable knot work can be seen in 'paracord' threads of various forums, like EDC Forums' Lanyards galore! and 'What do I do with this paracord stuff?' threads, CandlePower Forums 'show your lanyards' threads, etc...
Turk's head knots around objects can improve grips on small objects, walking canes, stair rails, decorative mats have been used on ships for traction on stairs, and to protect decks from damage, etc...
11 years ago on Introduction
Stormdrane, can you check out the site with Fred's tutorial, please? Comes up with error message. I tried googling but any links gIven didn't work. Maybe he took it down. I prefer to use photo or pix tutorials as I can follow & learn better with those. The only other pix tutorial was one I found was a drawing I found from the International Guild of Knot Tyers in the UK. I like the way your knot uses a single cord best though.
Jude
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
The link had changed for whatever reason, but I found the new location and fixed it with the 'photo tutorial' link in the instructable description.
Here's another photo sequence of the same knot, text is French I think, but the photos speak for themselves. Google translate can be used for translating the page if desired... ;)
11 years ago on Introduction
What a waste of time! I followed along carefully. Pausing the playback each step to be sure I was doing what you were doing. At 6:10 for some reason you decide that text needs to be display at the top AND you need to move the knot and the action up under the text. The last step is hidden and I am left to face the waste of effort because you made it appear as though I was going to see to way to do this. Surely when you reviewed the video you must have seen this major flaw.
I wasted 15 minutes trying to follow what looked like a decent instruction. I paused often to try to figure out what was happening as the know was going out of the shot but to have the entire last step off screen is frustrating. I know we are supposed to be nice, and I would like to be happy now but I am just stuck. So my constructive comment is this:
Watch the video and see if you go off screen. When you do, either fix it or tell the viewer up front that there are sequences they will miss.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
If you've made it that far, you have the knot tied, you just have to tighten it up. You're not missing anything. Slack is worked through the knot from the start end all the way to the finish, and all I did at that point was move about a 1/4" of cord from that starting end forward into the knot and continue moving that slack.
You'll do that process at least a couple of times, gradually tightening the knot to keep it neat, the cords in order as tied, and maintain it's shape, just as described.
You do the same process with a monkey's fist, variations of Turk's head knots, and many other knots that must be carefully tightened/dressed to end up with the proper shape. You're welcome to try the instructions from these four other links and see if they help you:
Fred's tutorial
ABoK #1396 page 254
Nico's tutorial
KHWW tutorial
Making a lanyard out of the knot was just sticking the end strand back through the knot, creating a loop on one end, and the single end can be tied with whatever knot the user chooses, just a serving suggestion not a requirement. The application of the finished knot is up to you. Some folks might trim the ends off and glue it to a magnet and stick it on the fridge to hold up their 'buy more beer' list, or sew it in place of a lost button on a shirt, jacket, or their britches....
Some folks can learn a knot from a single loosely drawn diagram, others from a handful of still photos, some from seeing others do them, but not everyone succeeds after just one try. Have patience, keep trying, don't give up. ;)
11 years ago on Introduction
How come all of your instructables come out looking amazing? Keep posting!
I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
-BLUEBLOBS2