How to Knot a Chotki

You can choose contrasting or matching wool or silk cording.

A chotki is a prayer rope consisting of knots including a cross made of knots. The knots are made in silk or wool. The knots allow Eastern Orthodox Christians to count the times they prayed the Jesus Prayer. The traditional chotki would have 100 knots. Chotkis with with 33 (the age of Jesus when he died) or 50 knots. Some chotkis only have 10 knots and are worn on the finger. Devotees might have chotkis with 500 knots.

Things You'll Need

• Two pieces of silk or wool cord or thick thread

Instructions

1. 

   There are many types of knots.

   Cut two matching lengths of cord. The number of knots will depend on the length of the cord used to make the knots.

2. 

   This is about as basic as a knot can get.

   Knot the two strands together at one end with a simple knot.

3. 

   The strands drape over your index finger and fall down over your palm.

   Loop the strands over your index finger so that the knot is at the back of your finger and the two strands are across your palm. The choice of finger depends on your dominant hand. Put the strands on your non-dominant hand.

4. 

   The process is similar to the old string game, cat's cradle.

   Take the inner strand and loop it under your thumb, pulling the strand up and over the thumb and over itself so that the loose end is hanging outside the inner strand where it goes under the thumb.

5. Grab the strand where is goes under your thumb and pull that over and loop it around your middle finger. This creates a X-shape on your palm.

6. Pull the second strand through the top part of the X on your palm. You will now have a box shape with the first strand material on your palm.

7. Drop the first strand from your thumb and pull the second strand over your thumb.

8. Take the second strand and pull it behind your ring and middle fingers both and then run it down your palm and under itself. This creates another X-shape.

9. Pull the top part of the X which is the second strand and put it around your thumb. You should have three strands around your thumb. Two of the will be from the second strand.

10. Take the first strand that is hanging loose on your palm and run it behind your ring and middle finger and in front of your index finger and then under the strands between your index finger and thumb and let it hang loose.

11. Pull the end of the second strand around your ring and middle finger and then pull it under the strands that cross the base of your index finger.

12. Find the second strand around your thumb that runs to the knot behind your index finger and hold it while you remove your thumb from the loops of strands.

13. Replace the second strand over your thumb.

14. Take the three loops that pass over the back of your middle and ring fingers and hold them between 2 fingers of your other hand while you also grab the loop around your index finger between two other fingers and then move both sets of loops to your middle finger,

15. Tug the two strands that are hanging loose and tug them gently to create a knot. You will have a loop of the first strand around your middle finger and a loop of the second strand around your thumb. You will still have the first knotted loop around your index finger.

16. Pull the chotki in progress off your hand and you will have a knot with two loops and two loose strands hanging from it.

17. Find the side of each loop that lets you pull the new knot closer to the first knot and tug the knots together. The loops will be bigger. The free loop will have one side closer to you.

18. Hold one of the loops and the two strands. Find the part of the free loop closest to you and look for the knot that allows you to pull this free loop up through the knot.

19. Pull the free loop through the knot so that it is on the other side of the knot. It does not matter which loop you begin with.

20. Reap the process with the other loop and pull it to the other side of the knot.

21. Pull both loops tight so that they disappear.

22. Repeat this process for each knot.

References

• World News Network: Chotki, 2011