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Synopsis
Chinese Knotting traces the origins, history, and symbolism of this fascinating craft. The reader is taken through the fundamental elements necessary for tying Chinese decorative knots: the materials, implements, and main processes. Detailed instructions, clear diagrams, and colour photographs, combined with an exciting assortment of creative applications, will help readers discover the relaxation, artistic satisfaction, and beautifully personalised ornamentation that Chinese knotting can offer.
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First Sentence
The Shuo Wen Chieh Tzu, a Chinese dictionary compiled around 100 A.D., defines the word "knot" as "the joining of two cords." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The Shuo Wen Chieh Tzu, a Chinese dictionary compiled around 100 A.D., defines the word "knot" as "the joining of two cords." Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
This book is well written with very clear diagrams & explanations. Although I have already done some knotting I feel it would be good for beginners too. The format has an American feel, something to do with the layout I think. An excellent companion to Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery by Suzen Millodot.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Neil Lewis
VINE™ VOICE
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent introduction to decorative chinese knots, including the basic knots: the double coin (or Josephine); double connection; sauvastika (or Buddha); the cross (or crown); cloverleaf; good luck; button, and pan chang (or mystic) - possibly the classic flat woven knot; the round brocade (or flower); plafond (or spectacle); flat (or square). It also includes some more challenging compound knots like the ten accord, butterfly and stone chime.
The practical instructions are accompanied by a short history of the craft and some interesting decorative ideas including interior ornaments, fashion and jewellery. First published in 1981, some of the creative ideas are a little dated, although most of it survives remarkably well.
I would recommend absolute beginners check out Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery as a somewhat less ambitious and more modern take on chinese knotting as it applies particularly to jewellery.
The practical instructions are accompanied by a short history of the craft and some interesting decorative ideas including interior ornaments, fashion and jewellery. First published in 1981, some of the creative ideas are a little dated, although most of it survives remarkably well.
I would recommend absolute beginners check out Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery as a somewhat less ambitious and more modern take on chinese knotting as it applies particularly to jewellery.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful knotting book
25 April 2007
By Gillian Buchanan
- Published on Amazon.com
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I purchased it quite recently because I've become interested in a wider range of knotting skills than tatting, which is my main speciality.
The book when it arrived was a lovely surprise. The introductory pages contain a synopsis of Chinese knotting history accompanied by full colour photographs of the knots in use to make practical and decorative items. The diagrams are clear enough though the knots very quickly become rather elaborate for a complete beginner learning straight from the book with no teacher to demonstrate. However patience and taking time to study the very accurate diagrams carefully will alleviate this problem. The other difficulty I encountered, particularly when reaching the stage of learning the Pan Chang Knot, was knowing how much string would be needed. No indication of this is given next the knots themselves though early on in the book it is mentioned that most can be tied with a length of three metre cord. Admittedly the amount required would depend on the thickness of the cord used, but some guidance would be helpful.
A series of projects is provided in the third part of the book, giving inspiration and instruction in using the knots in different ways. The diagrams of the projects are rather small so you would have to practice the knots themselves diligently until you can do them easily before attempting one of the projects.
However this is a very attractive book giving an interesting insight into the ancient art of Chinese knotting and I certainly recommend it for anyone interested in Chinese culture and for anyone who would like to learn Chinese knotwork.
The book when it arrived was a lovely surprise. The introductory pages contain a synopsis of Chinese knotting history accompanied by full colour photographs of the knots in use to make practical and decorative items. The diagrams are clear enough though the knots very quickly become rather elaborate for a complete beginner learning straight from the book with no teacher to demonstrate. However patience and taking time to study the very accurate diagrams carefully will alleviate this problem. The other difficulty I encountered, particularly when reaching the stage of learning the Pan Chang Knot, was knowing how much string would be needed. No indication of this is given next the knots themselves though early on in the book it is mentioned that most can be tied with a length of three metre cord. Admittedly the amount required would depend on the thickness of the cord used, but some guidance would be helpful.
A series of projects is provided in the third part of the book, giving inspiration and instruction in using the knots in different ways. The diagrams of the projects are rather small so you would have to practice the knots themselves diligently until you can do them easily before attempting one of the projects.
However this is a very attractive book giving an interesting insight into the ancient art of Chinese knotting and I certainly recommend it for anyone interested in Chinese culture and for anyone who would like to learn Chinese knotwork.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Clear and enticing introduction
10 Mar 2009
By wiredweird
- Published on Amazon.com
This beautiful book gives a clear and approachable introduction to the Chinese tradition of decorative knotting. It starts with a few pages of the craft's history in China, and includes some gorgeous examples sure to inspire just about any reader. How-to comes next, with a discussion of the tools (few and inexpensive) and materials of this technique. After the basics, another section shows "compound" knots, built from repetitions and recursions of the elementary techniques. Chen ends this book with a gallery section. This presents a range of attractive and practical applications, not just lovely works in themselves but inspiration to the budding knotter.
You can approach the craft as a unique body of knowledge in itself, or as a complement to other techniques. Either way, this warrants at least a little of any crafter's time - or, in the author's case, a lifetime of fascination.
-- wiredweird
You can approach the craft as a unique body of knowledge in itself, or as a complement to other techniques. Either way, this warrants at least a little of any crafter's time - or, in the author's case, a lifetime of fascination.
-- wiredweird
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A bit overwhelming for a beginner...
21 May 2006
By P. Wagner
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
I just started into Chinese knotting. Though this book has beautiful photos/ideas, the projects are more advanced so the instruction photos/directions were insufficient for me to grasp how to create the beautiful projects. If you're a novice, look elsewhere. I returned mine. Gave it 4 stars just because it isn't for everyone.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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