Turk's Head Knot

Usually used in a number of decorative objects like bracelets, wallets, and other accessories, the Turk's head is a very smart way of entangling two or more strings to make a knot. It is known to be decorative and involves a particular way of using interwoven strands to form a closed loop.

However, you must not confuse it to be an individual knot, but a family of various ones tied in this particular manner. These are generally made or tied around a cylindrical or any round-shaped object because the strings need support for being tied.

There is a "mat" type, which can be tied without any support, as well. After the knot is made around this surface, the strings can be used as friendship bracelets, ring, headband, or as any other accessory.

The Turk's head found its name, since it resembles a turban, which is actually wound on the head, but the decorative knot is interwoven with strings.

As mentioned, it is a family of knots, where there are various ways that are used to tie one, which looks like a head turban. Now, each of these, also used as macrame knots, are popular with respect to two main components which they are made from, namely "leads" and "bights".

The leads are defined as the number of times the string or rope changes the downward direction in the knot. The bights are known as the bends on its upper part, where its direction is changed again.

Therefore, in every Turk's head knot, the leads, bights, and the method of making differ greatly. Depending on these variations, these are used as a decorative element for accessories, and in jewelry making.

Following are some easy steps to provide you with an idea about how exactly they are constructed and used for making bracelets, rings, bags, clothing, mats, etc.

● To make one of the decorative hemp bracelet knots, use a wooden log, a can, or any other cylindrical surface to start with it. Take the rope or string, and pass it to the back of the log. Now, bring one end of it in the front to form a pass. Then take this lead, and let it go behind, then to the front again, and cross it over the first pass.

● Similar to the first pass, take the lead and twist it again behind the cylinder, and bring it to the front. Then cross it with your last pass, and make it parallel to the first one. This should look like the Roman number eleven, "XI", with the free/working end or the bight of the rope being the "I".

● Now, tuck this free end under the first pass which you made, so that it is not free anymore. Turn the cylinder's rear end towards you, with the bight now on the bottom, and the behind side should be your front. At this point, the bottom should have two parallel ropes in front of you.

● This step of making friendship bracelet knots is very tricky, as you will need to make very close loops here. For this, find the parallel rope that is farthest from your bight. Pull it over the second parallel rope, and make a tiny eye or an opening.

● Roll the front towards you, and tuck the lead end in the last pass you made. Your Turk's head is ready to be made double or triple so that your bracelet looks gorgeous.