Knots/Decorative knots/Turk's head knot

Use

The Turk's head knot is a decorative knot primarily used by Scouts as woggles to attach their neckerchiefs. Like most decorative knots, it is hard to tie for the first time.

How to tie

1. Have in your hand about a metre of rope.
2. In the end, make a loop with end 2, then another that goes over it. (Figure 1, bottom of page)
3. Bring end 1 under end 2, then put it over, then under, then over, then under the rope each time that you cross it. You will then get something like figure 2.
4. Slide your thumb or a stick (of a diameter of about 2cm) into the square that has formed in the centre of the knot. In doing so, you will be able to keep this space open and use it to shape your knot.
5. Still using end 1, follow end 2, as in figure 3.
6. Do as many cycles as you like. Usually, people make three turns, but nothing is stopping you from defying that tendency! The only thing to be aware of is how much rope you have left.
7. The hardest part is over. You only have left to tighten your knot. To do that, start with one of the ends of the rope, then tighten the knot (not too hard) around your thumb or the stick that you placed in the middle. It's a long process, but you will see your knot taking shape.
8. Cut the excess rope, and secure the two extremities in the ring (using a small reef knot or stitches, or you could also dip the whole thing in melted wax to solidify it). In doing so, you won't see the ends, which will make your knot even more attractive.
9. Place your knot on an object of your choice and proudly show your creation to others!

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  Figure 1
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  Figure 2
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  Figure 3
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