How to Make a Simple Rosary
A rosary can be fashioned from beads and chain or cord. The simplest version is made of cord with a knotted centerpiece instead of a crucifix. The main knot used in a cord rosary is called a barrel knot. This simple knot corresponds to the beaded Hail Mary beads. A larger version of the barrel knot is called the Our Father. Ten Hail Mary beads in a row are referred to as a decade. A rosary is composed of 5 decades with an Our Father bead between each.
Instructions
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1
Measure and cut 20 feet of No. 36 cord.
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2
Take a small strip of masking tape and wrap it tightly around the cut ends of the cordage. This will keep the twine from unraveling while you make the rosary.
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3
Fold the cord in half and start to work from the center point.
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Wrap the cord around your finger so that the spot where it overlaps forms an "X." Place this "X" halfway between the end of your pointer finger and your first joint.
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Encircle your finger two more times so the three strands of cord are laying side by side on the end of your finger.
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Take the taped end of the twine and feed it through the loops on your finger from the back toward your fingertip.
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Pull it through until it is snug, while you keep the strands of the knot in place with your right hand forefinger and thumb.
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Pull the knot tight when you see that the strands are all in order, laying alongside each other. This is the barrel knot.
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Make ten of these barrel knots in a row, leaving a 1/4-inch space between them. These 10 knots are known as a decade.
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Wrap the next knot by laying 5 strands around your finger. Remove it in the same manner. This larger knot is called the Our Father. Leave 1/2-inch of space on either side of these knots.
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Continue on this strand of cord, making two more decades with a larger Our Father knot between each section.
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12
Start back at the middle where you began the rosary. Make the remaining two decades with a large knot between each.
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Make a large knot for the front centerpiece when the five 5 decade patterns are completed. Take the two strands together and wrap them in unison around your finger. Feed the two strands through the 5 loops simultaneously to make a large centerpiece.
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Cut the extra cord close to the centerpiece knot.
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Burn the tips of these cut cords with a match to prevent fraying. Just touch it to the flame for a moment and press it flat with your finger.
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Tips & Warnings
A crucifix or other emblem can be attached to these cord rosaries as the centerpiece if desired.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
