The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting

Bring the ancient beauty of Chinese knots into any craft practice, and learn the many uses this nearly-lost art form can have in your own home.

The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting is the culmination of 20 years of research into the ancient art of Chinese knotting presented in a way that's easy to learn and fun to knot!

Inspired by the decorative knots that embellish ancient artifacts such as pots, jade, statuary, boxes and paintings, the author has systematically classified each of the basic Chinese knots, many almost forgotten, and their variations. Creative applications reveal the practical potential for Chinese knotting in everyday life, but the artistic possibilities abound too — such as using Chinese knots for beaded jewelry. In addition to the useful "summary" of the four major techniques for tying basic knots and the nine main ways of modifying them, the author introduces 56 brand new knots in this book — each accompanied by helpful color photos and diagrams.

Take advantage of the little-known methods of Chinese knotting found in this book, and bring an age-old decorative tradition into your creations.

Lydia Chen, a leading authority on traditional Chinese decorative knotting, was born in Loching, Chekiang, in 1940. Her interest in knotting began when her father-in-law, a deputy curator at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, arranged for her to learn simple knots from an elderly museum custodian. From this modest beginning, she went on to figure out how knots were formed from the antique pieces she collected, and even invented some designs of her own. She has taught knotting at colleges, held several exhibitions of her work both at home and abroad, and authored a number of books on the art.