Jekyll2022-08-06T20:14:09-07:00http://localhost:4000/feed/tag/good-luck.xmlKnotty Notions ][ Good luckA decorative knotting blog.Carol WangEaster 20092009-04-12T00:00:00-07:002009-04-12T00:00:00-07:00http://localhost:4000/special%20occasion/easter/easter-2009<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/projects/2009-easter/2009-easter.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/projects/2009-easter/2009-easter-stamp.jpg" alt="an attempt at a bunny head modified using a good luck knot with inset ears" align="left" /></a> So, I had this image in my mind of an abstract-ish rabbit with a nice triangular face and long ears. So I tied a <a href="/gluck/triangular">triangular</a> <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/">good luck knot with <a href="/gluck/inset-ear">inset ears</a>. Holding it in my hand it looked fine, but when let go and put down, the ears don’t point up and the whole rabbit effect is lessened greatly.
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<p>I have a few other ideas for better rabbits including using globe knots, but what am I going to do in later years if I use all of my ideas right away, eh? 8)</p>
<p>So, this one is not what I would term a success. Live, experiment (preferably non-destructively) and learn.</p>
<p>If I try this particular idea again it might be a good idea to use a pentagonal or hexagonal base in order to position ears that point up, snug up the extra loops to hide them or provide shaping. Maybe even whiskers.</p>Carol WangSo, I had this image in my mind of an abstract-ish rabbit with a nice triangular face and long ears. So I tied a triangular good luck knot with inset ears. Holding it in my hand it looked fine, but when let go and put down, the ears don’t point up and the whole rabbit effect is lessened greatly.Link Dump 2009.02.012009-02-01T00:00:00-08:002009-02-01T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/linkography/link-dump-2009-02-01<p><a href="http://ripmaggots.blogspot.com/2009/01/wow_26.html"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/blog/linkdump/mickey_mouse_1.jpg" align="left" alt="mickey and minnie mouse toys" /></a> Apropos to the
theme of the last 2 weeks or so, a brace of <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/">Good Luck</a> knot related
links: <br />
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<p>Marta Ribeiro e Cunha, an origami jewelry maker who also dabbles in
knotting, has made a good luck knot necklace. Have a browse around
her site to see a number of other knotted jewelry objects. I get the
feeling that there’s an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> store
or something similar there. She refers to customers in one post, but
there’s no shop link that I could find within 4 clicks (and if this is
a blog that promotes a shop, really should it be that hard? 8)<br />
<a href="http://dkhorse.blogspot.com/2009/01/good-luck-knot.html">http://dkhorse.blogspot.com/2009/01/good-luck-knot.html</a></p>
<p>Linda, an atomic physicist PhD candidate and polyglot, is learning to tie knots starting with the good luck knot. As is fitting for an academic, she shares her experience and some how-to instructions.<br />
<a href="http://crazypuce.blogspot.com/search/label/Chinese%20Knot">http://crazypuce.blogspot.com/search/label/Chinese%20Knot</a></p>
<p><strong>Things to see and do</strong><br />
At the <a href="http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/">Washington State History Museum</a> they’re holding an exhibit called <a href="http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/featuredexhibits/withourhands.aspx">WITH OUR HANDS: World Folk Art Traditions of Washington</a>, a 10 month long exhibit running from now until August 23, 2009. In April 18-19, 2009, they will hold a <a href="http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshm/festivals/folkartsfestival.aspx">World Folk Arts Festival</a> which will include Rosalind Wang of Vancouver, WA who will demonstrate traditional Chinese knot tying and paper cutting (<a href="http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/2762/">via</a>). Another demonstration will involve “traditional chainsaw art”. What on earth is traditional about chainsaws?!?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.joanbabcock.com/">Joan Babcock</a>, mistress of micro-macramé, is teaching a square knotted <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/coin/">Josephine knot</a> pendant workshop at <a href="http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/beadfest/">Bead Fest</a> <a href="http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/beadfest/SantaFe/">Santa Fe</a> on March 14, 2009.<br />
<a href="http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/beadfest/SantaFe/index.cfm?action=class&classid=3304&p=1">http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/beadfest/SantaFe/index.cfm?action=class&classid=3304&p=1</a></p>
<p>The Kuching High School Red Crescent Youth Unit in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia are organizing a knotting course taking place on 8 February 2009.<br />
<a href="http://khsrcyu.blogspot.com/2009/01/knotting-course-2009.html">http://khsrcyu.blogspot.com/2009/01/knotting-course-2009.html</a></p>
<p>Celebrations of the Lunar new year with cultural demos at the <a href="http://www.capitalmuseum.org.cn/en/">Beijing Capitol Museum</a> run through to February 10, 2009 include “silk knots”. Admission is free, but reservations are required as only 4000 people a day can be accommodated.<br />
<a href="http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20090130/101563.shtml">http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20090130/101563.shtml</a></p>
<p>A Singaporean artist <a href="http://sg-entertainer.blogspot.com/2009/01/madam-tangs-chinese-knotting-demo.html">blogs about meeting</a> <a href="http://www.talentsdata.8m.com/tangsart.htm">Madame Tang</a> who does Chinese knotting demos in Singapore.<br />
<a href="http://www.talentsdata.8m.com/02_008.htm">http://www.talentsdata.8m.com/02_008.htm</a></p>
<p><strong>Things to buy</strong><br />
A blog that discusses a toy set that was released last year (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_(zodiac)">year of the rat/mouse</a>) in Hong Kong. Chinese-ified Mickey and Minnie Mouse figurines. I like that the publicity specifically mentions the knotted details on Minnie, although the knot on Mickey is more complex but jade trumps knots I guess.<br />
<a href="http://ripmaggots.blogspot.com/2009/01/wow_26.html">http://ripmaggots.blogspot.com/2009/01/wow_26.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.aprettyrock.com/about">Yazmin</a>, a jewelry crafter is worried about the <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/01/calculating_the_true_cost_of_c.html">CPSIA</a> which, I’m sure, will be sad for many people. On a happier note, however, she’s interested in learning Chinese knotting to add to her jewelry.<br />
<a href="http://www.aprettyrock.com/the-day-handmade-died">http://www.aprettyrock.com/the-day-handmade-died</a></p>
<p>The blogging voice of an online craft shop, blogs about Chinese Knots using familiar pictures. 8( <br />
<a href="http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2009/01/30/all-tied-up-in-knots-chinese-knotting-knotting-knots/">http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2009/01/30/all-tied-up-in-knots-chinese-knotting-knotting-knots/</a></p>
<p><strong>Other knotty stuff</strong><br />
Students in Chicago tie together fleece-knotted blankets for the local children’s hospital<br />
<a href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1402869,6_1_NA29_BLANKETS_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1402869,6_1_NA29_BLANKETS_S1.article</a></p>Carol WangApropos to the theme of the last 2 weeks or so, a brace of Good Luck knot related links:Xmas 2008 Final Snowflakes2009-01-13T00:00:00-08:002009-01-13T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/project%20diary/xmas/xmas-2008-final-snowflakes<p><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/string.jpg" alt="project string" align="left" /> One of the things I love about Chinese knotting is that it is so portable. Given some string and the skill of your hands you can make so many things. And so it is that I am most often tying knots while out and about (waiting for kids!) and not at home where my supplies, tools, and scanner are. This blog in particular is an experiment to see how well I can document what I’ve done with just the recording equipment I’ve usually got (phone camera).
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<p>This project uses 2mm white nylon satin cord with 1mm braided blue and silver craft cord.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/calendar-page.jpg" alt="calendar page" align="left" /> You can get as fancy as you like with tools, but most often when a template is needed, I make one out of paper. Scrap paper usually. Some todo list, shopping list, pamphlet or even a receipt. Since process photos are much easier for other people to understand when it doesn’t have my writing all over it, I’ll use one of my favourite scrap paper sources: a daily calendar page.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/fold-once.jpg" alt="page folded in half" align="left" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/fold-thrice.jpg" alt="page folded in thirds" align="left" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/cut-holes.jpg" alt="cut holes" align="left" /> First fold the page in half, then at the midpoint of the page (accuracy not that important) make a cone of the paper, then align the edges so that when pressed down the page will be evenly be divided into three. Fold your pie shaped wedge in half again and then cut a hole through all thicknesses of paper. The hole should be close to the point and sized to hold cord loosely.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/template-cut.jpg" alt="finished template" align="left" /><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/pull-loops.jpg" alt="loops pulled through template" align="left" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/clip-end.jpg" alt="clip the loops" align="right" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/bulldog-clip.jpg" alt="bulldog clip" align="right" /> Unfold the paper and pull loops of your cord through the holes. One of the most time consuming and annoying features of tying knots with 2 parallel cords is keeping them parallel. Considering what I had available, I went with the small bulldog paper clips applied to the end of the loops.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/template-back.jpg" alt="back of the threaded template" align="left" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/template-finished.jpg" alt="finished knot on template" align="left" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/template-removed.jpg" alt="knot with template removed" align="left" /> <img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/tidy-this.jpg" alt="back of the threaded template" align="right" /> The back of the template should look more or less like the leftmost picture (note the consistency to the ordering of the string colours). Tie the knot. Remove the paper template and clips.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/done-sparkly.jpg" alt="finished snowflake" align="left" /> <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/snowflake.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/2008-xmas-final/snowflake-stamp.jpg" alt="scanned finished snowflake" align="right" /></a> Even up the ears. Make sure the 2 cords stay parallel, and you’re done.</p>
<p>The camera built into my phone doesn’t like to take pictures closer than at least a foot from camera to subject. The pictures in general were pretty blurry, but when the pictures were resized down, and then fiddled with some more, they make decent postage stamp sized pictures.<br clear="all" /></p>Carol WangOne of the things I love about Chinese knotting is that it is so portable. Given some string and the skill of your hands you can make so many things. And so it is that I am most often tying knots while out and about (waiting for kids!) and not at home where my supplies, tools, and scanner are. This blog in particular is an experiment to see how well I can document what I’ve done with just the recording equipment I’ve usually got (phone camera).Xmas 2008 Snowflakes2009-01-10T00:00:00-08:002009-01-10T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/project%20diary/xmas/xmas-2008-snowflakes<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-stamp.jpg" alt="6 sided good luck knot" align="left" /></a> I started thinking about this year’s ornament sometime around November. Of course, if I wanted to make a seasonal kit to sell, I should start the process in the summer and be done some time in September or there’bouts. In any case, I was having my usual thoughts about stars and snowflakes and after a few prototypes decided to go with snowflakes.
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<p><em>I have to rant now.</em></p>
<p>Everyone has their particular <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hobbyhorse">hobby horses</a> that are unimportant to most of the rest of the world. Maybe for you it is run on sentences 8) 8), toilet seats (up, down, down with lid too?), or <a href="http://redjar.org/jared/projects/communitybike/summary/images/shopping_cart_lock.jpg" title="up in that slot they provide so the chain doesn't get tangled would be nice!">shopping cart lock</a> chains. Well one of my hot buttons is snowflakes. To be precise: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Snowflake/">representations of snowflakes that are not 6 sided</a>. Some of them <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper_Snowflakes/">can be very nice</a>, but they are not snowflakes (or even representations of snowflakes)! These travesties are usually caused by people folding their paper for cutting snowflakes in a simple half then half again manner, although I have seen them in printed form and in wire with four fold symmetry as well (so what’s their excuse?). A more precise term that doesn’t need to raise anyone’s hackles is <a href="http://pingmag.jp/2008/08/28/kanako-yaguchi/">kirigami</a> (<a href="http://blog.roomservicecleveland.com/2008/09/05/i-love-paper-cuts/">via</a>). The shape of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_(molecule)#Dipolar_nature_of_water">water molecules</a>, which makes <a href="http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm" title="photos of real snowflakes">snowflakes hexagonal</a>, gives water unique properties without which life as we know it on this planet would not exist. So stop it! <a href="http://www.papersnowflakes.com/" title="teacher resource">Teach the kids</a> <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-A-6-sided-snowflake/" title="good instructable">properly</a>. Please. 8)</p>
<p><em>Ok, I’m done ranting for now.</em><br clear="all" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-beads.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-beads-stamp.jpg" alt="6 sided good luck knot with beads" align="left" /></a> It’s a simple 6 sided <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/">good luck knot</a> (double crown on the bight, overlap of 2). For me, at least, it strongly evokes snowflakes. Up against a tree it looks pretty snazzy (sorry for the white background on the scans) although it could use some punch or bling.</p>
<p>First thing I tried was adding some beads. These beads are metalized plastic which makes them lighter, under many circumstances that’s a good thing. In retrospect I could have used actual metal beads from my collection because I have many and with one bead an ear, the weight should not have been a problem. At the time, however, I was thinking of these beads of which I only had 100 (purchased from <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chinese+string+arts" title="map">Chinese String Arts</a> in Monterey Park, CA (greater Los Angeles area)) and at 12 per ornament, I would not have enough.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-spike.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-spike-stamp.jpg" alt="6 sided good luck knot with spiky ends" align="left" /></a> While I was still just thinking snowflakes, though. I considered ways to be even more like a real snowflake. One way would be to cut the ears and rejoin them so that they were more spiky like the branches on a snowflake. Eh, not the effect I was hoping for. Plus it’s using more beads.<br clear="all" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-bao.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/gallery/luck-flake-bao-stamp.jpg" alt="6 sided good luck knot with 2x4 bao ends" align="left" /></a> <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/bao/gallery/bao-white.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/bao/gallery/bao-white-stamp.jpg" alt="2x4 bao in white" align="right" /></a><em>But</em> the side branches on a snowflake always proceed from a strong main branch. Could I make a configuration like that? I could, using a 4 eared knot, although the side ears would not branch at the right angle without some assistance with needle and thread, I suspect. The first choice for that sort of thing is always the <a href="http://chineseknotting.org/flower/howto4.html" title="how to tie the 4 flower knot">4 eared flower</a>, but I didn’t want the square in the middle (60° not 90°). To avoid that, I could tie a 4 eared flower with a centre overlap of 2, or a <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/bao/howto2x4/" title="how to tie the 2x4 bao knot">2x4 bao knot</a>. I tried both and decided that the bao looked better. Completing the next prototype, however it didn’t look any more snowflake-y and was a lot more work. I could have done another with the short ears also tied in small bao knots, but I don’t think it would have helped.</p>
<p>I thought I had an instance of my final design, but it may be that I have given them all away and need to make another for posterity. So you’ll have to wait until tomorrow or the next day to see that. Sorry.</p>
<p>While I was shopping at the Chinese String Arts store, I asked about <a href="http://chineseknotting.org/book/">books</a>, of course. They had <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9575880145/skateorg">Lydia Chen’s first book</a> and a small generic Chinese book that I think I already had. I mourned the lack of books and the shop owner commiserated saying that there are few books, especially in English, but some former visitor to her shop had said that <strong><em>he</em></strong> would write one. Was she talking about <em>you</em>, <a href="http://www.theknotguy.com/">Lindsey</a>? 8)</p>Carol WangI started thinking about this year’s ornament sometime around November. Of course, if I wanted to make a seasonal kit to sell, I should start the process in the summer and be done some time in September or there’bouts. In any case, I was having my usual thoughts about stars and snowflakes and after a few prototypes decided to go with snowflakes.Good Luck Wire2009-01-06T00:00:00-08:002009-01-06T00:00:00-08:00http://localhost:4000/project%20diary/wire/good-luck-wire<p><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/wire/3-goodluck-wire.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/wire/3-goodluck-wire-stamp.jpg" align="left" alt="3 good luck knot rendered in copper wire" /></a><a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/wire/4-goodluck-wire.jpg" title="bigger"><img src="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/wire/4-goodluck-wire-stamp.jpg" align="right" alt="4 good luck knot rendered in copper wire" /></a> Documenting this backwards: the first knot I tried because of the simplicity of the structure and easy construction was the <a href="http://www.chineseknotting.org/luck/">good luck knot</a>. Significant amounts of twisted wire cluttered my work area until I decided to try tied knot templates. Simple folded shapes, each one the same, fit together to form the knot. A little fiddling with the ends to make sure the pieces don’t pop back out completes the knots.<br clear="all" />
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<p><strong>Edit:</strong> In case it’s not clear from the pictures, these knots as well as the hairpin <a href="/wire/mystic2">mystic knot</a> have varying degrees of play in the structure (not so much the <a href="/wire/mystic3">mystic pendant</a> due to the wire wrapped parts) meaning that the individual pieces shift around and depending on how you hold it or hang it, you can get a square-ish shape or more of a rhomboidal shape. Of course, you can crimp things down until it holds together the way you want it to, or do some decorative/structural wire wrapping to control the shape. I have this idea to use <a href="http://www.beadfx.com/catalogue/rosemontees.php">rose montee beads</a> at the intersection of each set of wires which should work, given the right size wire and pre-planning (that’s the trick! 8)</p>Carol WangDocumenting this backwards: the first knot I tried because of the simplicity of the structure and easy construction was the good luck knot. Significant amounts of twisted wire cluttered my work area until I decided to try tied knot templates. Simple folded shapes, each one the same, fit together to form the knot. A little fiddling with the ends to make sure the pieces don't pop back out completes the knots.