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Using the Snake Knot

Learn to use the snake knot for knotting bracelets and necklaces. A snake knot is a round, well-balanced knot that sits between beads nicely. If you’re tying regular overhand knots between beads, we think you’ll love the snake knot. It’s a little tougher to master, but it produces beautiful results.

Gather your supplies…

To make a bracelet, you’ll need:

2 yards of Chinese Knotting Cord (cut into two equal lengths).
Thread burner to finish the cord ends
8mm round beads
Optional: your favorite adhesive to secure the knots

Step 1: Loop one strand over the other, as shown below. It is helpful to tape or secure your strands at the top of your work, so they stay in one place as you begin to knot.

Step 2: Loop the second strand as shown below. It helps to practice with two different colors of cord, so you can clearly see how the strands pass under and over each other.

Step 3: Pull the knot tight…

Step 4: You’re now ready to move on to the next bead!

You can finish your bracelet in many ways. One of our favorites is using the Square Knot (shown below, with a decorative bead in the middle of the knot). Have fun, and get creative!

Read the comments (or add your own)

On May 04, 2017 at 4:27 pm #
dolllady aka Pam says:

Thank you for the written and visual instructions for the snake knot! I found the instructions very useful.
On May 04, 2017 at 7:52 pm #
CAS says:

Oooooohhhhh … this looks so cool, absolutely something I’ll try.
On May 04, 2017 at 11:25 pm #
S KatollakaSue says:

I am definitely going to try this! I love the look of knotted work, but have not been successful in placing them where I wanted. This looks like the answer!
On May 11, 2017 at 11:00 pm #
Tana says:

Got my order today to make bracelets using 8mm gemstone rounds, Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm using the snake knot. Very nice cord! You must use 2 strands of cord to make a snake knot. Well, doesn’t fit thur! I tried several different 8mm rounds. I tried the glue on the ends, idea…no work
Bummer! 0.8mm C-Lon cord doesn’t fit but I was hoping the new cord would. I know 2 strands 0.5mm C-Lon fits thur 8mm and most 6mm rounds but not 2 strands of the 0.8mm cords!grrr
Lesson learned…
The Chinese Knotting Cord isn’t slippery and is easier to work with than the C-Lon cord.
On May 11, 2017 at 11:17 pm #
Tana says:

8mm gemstone rounds that 2 strands did not fit through that I tried:
African Turquoise
Tibetan Agate (molten and the banded)
Chyrsoprase
African Opal Rondelle
On May 15, 2017 at 1:20 pm #
Crystal Canary says:

I will definitely try this.
Tana R — Thanks for the heads up.
On May 15, 2017 at 2:30 pm #
Poohbear_jessiejames34 says:

Wow this is gonna be fun learning!
On May 23, 2017 at 3:54 pm #
Tana says:

Love this knot! It holds the bead in place and keeps it from spinning when I pick fav side of gemstone I want showing, “this side up” using 0.5mm C-Lon cord 2 strands fit through my Alaska jade 10mm same size hole as 8mm…

Ali, can you find 0.5mm Chinese Knotting cord?
Thanks, Tans
On May 23, 2017 at 4:09 pm #
Tana says:

Using Chinese Knotting Cord 0.8mm
Tibetan Agate matte 8mm, African Turq 6mm
Joesphine macrame knot
On May 23, 2017 at 8:33 pm #
Tana says:

Oops, wrong pic sent. Square knots between beads…
On Jan 21, 2020 at 8:47 pm #
J Kanalas says:

looking forward to learning this!
On Feb 15, 2020 at 2:08 pm #
kathrynfitzgerald says:

How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot?
On Feb 15, 2020 at 2:13 pm #
kathrynfitzgerald says:

How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot?

Also, can you use a match or lighter to burn end instead of buying the perfect thread burner?
On Feb 27, 2020 at 8:50 pm #
Moogie says:

DISCLAIMER—I haven’t actually put a decorative bead in the middle of a sliding closure, but I think this is how it’s done!

First you can check out the instructions for “Using the Sliding Square Knot” for your closure. When you are ready to begin the closure, choose a bead with a hole large enough to fit 4 strands of cord. Pass the end strands from the bracelet you just knotted through the bead in opposite directions & proceed with the sliding knot. When you get to your decorative bead, thread your working strands through & continue the sliding knot until finished.
Also, instead of burning the cord, you can just cut it & put a dab of glue on the end.
If you have questions or want to double check, contact customer service directly. They are super nice❤️ Moogie
On Mar 08, 2020 at 12:21 am #
povertyridgeranch1 says:

Are the beads large hole beads? I’ll be trying this also I just book marked the page… thanks for the easy and awesome