This article is an analysis of an unusual knot derived from a set of templates by Eddie Climo. It is a three string interweave on a two string foundation. Both the foundation and interweave structures are a little bit unusual. Here I have done a shorter version (the minimum size possible), but it cane by done using 6 X 5 or 7 X 6 etc basic knots. All the base knots are identical in structure and all are based on a foundation of one more part than bight.
The foundation is a nested interweave of two identical 4 part X 3 bight knots. These are not turksheads but are coded O-O-O going up and U-U-U coming down. The first of these is in the upper template at the left and the nesting of the two is the lower template.
Notice that the nesting sequence is just a series of O-U moves throughout to produce the interlocked crosings at each junction between the two knots. Also observe that there is no good place to take a final tuck to complete these knots at this time. Just leave some extra length on the ends and we will take care of this when the knot is finished and we have some structure close enough to do the tucks.
These knots should be placed on alternate pins of a six bight mandrel to leave spaces for the interweaves.
The first interweave goes into our two string foundation in a contrasting color from the cross between the bights at the bottom to the pins we skipped at the top of the mandrel, paralleling the foundation and taking contrary crossings as we go. If the foundation crossed over the lead we are crossing, the interweave goes under, etc.
Notice that we have a place to take a tuck-up and complete the knot with this interweave.
The second interweave (slate here) enters the braid under 1 , and passes over all foundation parts and under all first interweave parts, while crossing itself over going up and under coming down as always.
The third interweave is O1-U1-O2-U1-O1-U1-O2--- both up and down including its own parts.
The template at the right shows the color pattern when all interweaves are the same color.
This photo is the knot done on a one inch mandrel with 1/8th goat lace. This is almost the minimum diameter for the knot and the original longer version given by Eddie Climo is 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter with the same lace.
If we use the same basic two string nested foundation and only two interweaves we get the color pattern shown below.
The first interweave goes into our two string foundation in a contrasting color from the cross between the bights at the bottom to the pins we skipped at the top of the mandrel, paralleling the foundation and taking contrary crossings as we go. If the foundation crossed over the lead we are crossing, the interweave goes under, etc.
Notice that we have a place to take a tuck-up and complete the knot with this interweave.
The second interweave follows an over one - under one path both ways across the knot by just making contrary crossings through out its path.
The template at the right is a larger version done on a 6 part X 5 bight foundation by the same method.