Chinese Knotting: The Big Phoenix Tail Sinnet

This instruction set is just a quick sketch because, as you can see, my new scanner does not like to scan dimensional objects, so it will need to be redone. I've had at least 2 different previous scanners that I've used to make my instructions, with far far better results. Note that there is no green on the cords in question. I didn't have some accident with a marker. Also, anything not flat on the scanner is out of focus and pixellated. Harumph. The old scanner had been replaced because the printer part had died, so I may bring it back for the scanner part or go directly with the photo setup I've got but not used as much.

Note: I've included the larger size images because that's what I always do, but they're terrible. Pixellated and gibbled. The images actually look better smaller because I've been able to smooth over the image flaws, but if there's something that you just absolutely need to see bigger, give it a shot, The detail that you want to see might just be in focus. Technology fail, disappoinment.

setup step:

• four strands. Align and fix them down however you like. The first time I used a simple overhand knot, but the scanner didn't like it so I thought if I made it flatter with a hair clip instead of a bulky knot the situation would improve. Only a little.

step 1:

• move the inner cords out of the way to either side, starting with one of the outer cords, in my case the left one, form a bight.

step 2:

• for the start only we've done this in the other order, maybe when I redo this set I'll start in the logical order with loop insertion vs wrap in the first step. Anyhow, for this photo set, wrap the first bight with a loop from the outer strand from the right side. The cord should come from behind the inner cord, over and behind the bight of the previous step and end up on the front over everything else.

step 3:

• now using what was the inner cord on the right side, form a bight and push it through the first bight from the left side. Tighten everything up but the last bight.

step 4:

• two cords on either side, alternating use. Use the lowest cord bring it under the upper cord and push a bight through the loop, then bring the tail of that cord over the passive cord on that side.

step 5:

• one more time as the sinnet forms up nicely, and you can see the alignment of the cords during working.

finished sinnet:

• a finished segment of sinnet. The expanded view is a longer segment.

Experimenting with expanding the sinnet in a logical way. First up a 6 strand sinnet. Using the usual under previous strands before loop exchange gives you a sinnet almost identical to the 4 strand (big) phoenix tail. But if you under then over the side strands before loop exchange you get a nice and broader sinnet.
6 strand phoenix tail sinnet: under, under, loop.
6 strand phoenix tail sinnet: under, over, loop

I've got an 8 strand sinnet on the go. Using the under (under, under) loop gives a sinnet virtually identical to the under, under, loop 6 strand phoenix tail sinnet. If instead you under, over, under, loop you get a nice wider sinnet, but with 4 strands to a side the over and undering confuses the alignment of the strands and it gets much easier to confuse your strand order (or maybe it's just that I was doing it at 2am 80 8). I think I'm going to have to rip it out and do it over again (or just continue on and see if I can get the rhythm and show you results warts and all. Decisions, decisions.

Creation Date: Sat Apr 17 11:13:33 PDT 2010
Last Modified: Saturday, 17-Apr-2010 19:20:57 UTC
Page accessed at local time: Saturday, 21-Dec-2024 13:28:17 UTC