Glossary: Decorative Knot Parts

Midpoint	if tying a single knot, the midpoint is usually the middle of the cord, if tying the knot in a chain of knots, it is usually the previous knot
Structural loops	the structural parts of the knot, the non-optional parts of the knot
Ears Wings Petals	usually the outer loops of a knot. The ears can be replaced with other knots or cut to create a multi-strand version of the knot.
Loose end ears	if tying a single knot, the last ear will be formed by the two ends of the cord (see bottom of the CBK or Plafond knot above). If tied in a chain of knots, the midpoint may also be considered a loose end ear. Of course, any ear can be cut into a loose end ear (see the Stellar knot above).
Slipped ear	an ear pulled through another loop but not otherwise constrained. Slipped ears that are too short can unslip themselves.
Vestigal ear	the loops at the edge of mats or other structural formations.
Locked ear	a locked ear is constrained by two crossed (orthogonal) structural loops.
Polygons	The Round Brocade (see top) has 6 structural loops and 6 ears, let’s call it “hexagonal”. All of the structural loops in a classical Good Luck knot (see second image) are doubled and each “side” has a 2 ears: a side ear and a corner ear. Still, I call this knot “square”.
Iris	Many decorative knots have a central focus point that is often the pivot point or axis around which the knot was constructed. The cord segments that pivot around that point will define an iris shape, like a camera’s shutter mechanism. Usually by modifying overlap, the size of this hole can generally be shrunk or expanded, like an iris.
Directionality-Wise Clockwise Counter Clockwise	To determine the wise of a completed knot, look to the iris and find the cord segments that define it. Locate the T crossings. The stems of the T’s pointing away from the top bar collectively indicate direction. Note:A 2 layered knot like a cloverleaf or good luck knot will be clockwise on one side and counter clockwise on the other. A single layered knot like a double coin knot will be the same wise on both sides.
Mystic Knot-Wise	For mystic knots, all the tiles will have the same directionality, so simply pick a corner to determine the wise. In the middle, you might see what looks like a tile but it actually crosses the border between tiles and has the opposite directionality. The central unit will also have the correct directionality but it’s easy to be off by half a tile so corners are safer.
Double x knot	a larger version of the x knot, its next logical progression. Where applicable, there can be triple, quadruple, quintuple, etc.
Doubled x knot	running a parallel line through knot x to add a decorative element. Similarly the knot x can be tripled, quadrupled, quintupled, etc. The Double Coin knot above is tripled.
Sidelining	a common decorative technique is to double a knot but with a smaller diameter contrasting cord (see the Double Coin knot in the top image).
Outlining	when both sides of the cord are sidelined a knot has been outlined