Chinese KnotA cord. A quiet wish.

Chinese Knot

Two-Return Pan Chang Knot

Lay out the two routes of a small Pan Chang knot on a pin board. The pink and yellow demonstration makes the returning strands easy to follow, then shows the full process of closing the woven centre and setting the outer loops.

二回盘长结

23:21 in total. Parts continue in order. Use English subtitles to switch captions on or off.

Follow the making process.

These checkpoints come from the demonstration. Replay the movement before tightening a hidden crossing.

  1. Step 1: Pin the starting point — 二回盘长结

    01. Pin the starting point

    Fix the middle of the cord to the board. Spread the working lengths to either side before laying the first long fold.

  2. Step 2: Lay the two long vertical folds — 二回盘长结

    02. Lay the two long vertical folds

    Arrange the first route into two open vertical loops. Pin their turns so the four straight strands remain parallel.

  3. Step 3: Turn the first route across the folds — 二回盘长结

    03. Turn the first route across the folds

    Bring the pink working end horizontally across the pinned vertical strands. Leave the new side loop open and follow its return in the highlighted diagram.

  4. Step 4: Complete the pink route — 二回盘长结

    04. Complete the pink route

    Finish the second horizontal return. Compare the loose pink lattice with the red-highlighted route before bringing in the other end.

  5. Step 5: Add the yellow horizontal returns — 二回盘长结

    05. Add the yellow horizontal returns

    Work the yellow end through the existing arrangement. Complete its two horizontal wrapping passages while the pins keep the pink route separated.

  6. Step 6: Weave the yellow vertical return — 二回盘长结

    06. Weave the yellow vertical return

    Turn the yellow end upward through the pink crossings along the green-highlighted path. Keep each entry visible with the pointed tool.

  7. Step 7: Inspect both routes on the board — 二回盘长结

    07. Inspect both routes on the board

    Check the complete pink-and-yellow lattice against the diagram. The outer folds should still be loose enough to separate and trace.

  8. Step 8: Release the pins and open the loops — 二回盘长结

    08. Release the pins and open the loops

    Remove the supports while holding the centre. Pull the indicated outer folds outward in small amounts to begin closing the inner crossings.

  9. Step 9: Balance the broad side loops — 二回盘长结

    09. Balance the broad side loops

    Keep opposite loops at a similar size as you draw slack outward. Support the centre with a finger while using the pliers.

  10. Step 10: Close the woven centre — 二回盘长结

    10. Close the woven centre

    Lift the knot from the board. Work slack out of the middle gradually, keeping the temporary loops available for the next adjustment.

  11. Step 11: Start the numbered dressing sequence — 二回盘长结

    11. Start the numbered dressing sequence

    Follow the numbered cord route in the diagram. Move slack from the first oversized ear into the next passage rather than pulling only the free ends.

  12. Step 12: Reduce the next oversized ear — 二回盘长结

    12. Reduce the next oversized ear

    Draw the transferred slack through the neighbouring loop. Continue along the same cord, checking the woven face after each small adjustment.

  13. Step 13: Set the small outer ears — 二回盘长结

    13. Set the small outer ears

    Reduce the remaining long loops to the final ear size. Keep enough slack for the centre to lie flat and for the paired strands to sit evenly.

  14. Step 14: Inspect the finished square face — 二回盘长结

    14. Inspect the finished square face

    Balance the four main outer loops around the compact woven centre and separate the two working ends.

Check your finished piece

  • The centre is a compact, flat woven square.
  • Four main outer loops remain around the centre.
  • The paired strands sit evenly, with no large temporary slack loop.