The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting: A Compendium of Techniques and Variations

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.

Bring the ancient beauty of Chinese knots into any craft practice, and learn the many uses this intricate art form can have in your own home and style. The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting is the culmination of 20 years of research into the ancient art of Chinese knot tying, presented in a way that's easy to learn. Inspired by the decorative knots that embellish ancient artifacts such as pots, jade, statuary, boxes, paintings and other Chinese art, the author has systematically classified each of the basic Chinese knots, many almost forgotten, and their variations. Creative applications reveal the practical ways to incorporate Chinese knotting into everyday life, but the artistic possibilities abound too—such as using this mini macrame for beaded jewelry. In addition to the 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 this Chinese craft, and bring an age-old decorative tradition into your creations.