Celtic button knot
A Celtic button knot is a stopper knot on a single rope that results in a spherical decorative knot with hair braid / basket weave pattern. It is essentially a single strand Turk's Head Knot that is structured such a way that it is effectively tied around the rope itself, creating a stopper. It typically is used as a button, or as a knot securing the end of the rope from fraying.
| Celtic button knot | |
|---|---|
Celtic button knot double pass version, both flat and tightened | |
| Category | Stopper |
| Category 2 | Decorative |
| Related | diamond knot, Chinese button knot |
| ABoK | #545 |
Tying
There are 4 main steps to tying the Celtic knot:
- two consecutive overhand loops, the last one placed partially over the first forming two petals of a four petal flower
- left end woven from right horizontally through the loops; over, under, over, under forming the third petal
- left end woven again from left: over the edge, under, under, over and up through the central hole finishing the four petal flower
- optional: pushing the end again into the knot following the main part consistently on the inside. This may be repeated to give volume to the knot
- tightening evenly to close the petals of the flower forming a sphere around the main part
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Step one of tying a Celtic Button knot is a simple loop -
Step two of tying a Celtic Button knot is another loop -
Step three of tying a Celtic Button knot end woven into loops -
Step four: the end goes over the edge line, and under until the middle -
Optional second pass-step one: follow the first pass on the inside -
Optional second pass-step two: follow the first pass on the inside -
Optional second pass-final step of tying a Celtic Button knot done -
Optional third pass-final step of tying a Celtic Button knot done -
Tightening step of tying a 3 pass Celtic Button knot -
A 3 pass Celtic Button knot as seat of a rope swing -
Celtic Button knot on the bight therefore double, flat, with loop
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Celtic Button knot on the bight therefore double, tightened, with loop