gyrogami logo



Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork


All Knotted Up
Blog Index
   
blog pictures
Overhand Knot Rings


Categories: Products; Jewelry

Word count/read time: 345 words; 1-1/2 minutes

Long before metal wire came into existence we relied upon our textile counterparts. The origin of rope traces back some 30,000 years ago with plant materials and animal skin (leather) and continues evolving to this day with tech-driven versions that can stop bullets.

The first wires were made of precious metals and used in jewelry and the like, dating back several millennia. This hasn't gone away - if anything they have progressed significantly. Our daily lives critically depend upon wire. It is essential for anything electrical, electronic, and to a lesser degree, structural components.

I make my own wire (silver, gold, and copper with others coming as I explore more materials). It is less complex than one might think as it only requires a drawplate and means to pull wire through it. I made several machines to help with the task since I literally have drawn miles and miles of wire.

 
Our daily lives critically depend upon wire.
 
Stealing rope-working techniques like knotting and weaving to use in metalworking is a staple of creativity. I'm far from the first to delve into this unique hybridized process and probably won't ever create something "unique" though it is interesting to see how various aspects can be implemented into jewelry making.

Take the simplest knot, the overhand knot, and see what can be done. It can be tied left-over-right or vice versa (mirror images of each other). Two of them can be combined at the knot or outside of the knot. The strands can be doubled or tripled. So can the knots. They make excellent yet simple rings.

There are hundreds of knots and similar rope-joining methods but not all are suitable for metal. Likewise, there are numerous weaving styles (crochet, knitting, plaits) that can be adopted in a limited manner with metal. Ornamental or structural, not all of them are pretty or cost-effective.

So my knotwork jewelry is mainly in the form of rings. There are overhand (single and double), figure eight (infinity), sailor's (square), and infinity sailor's to start with. I do plan on weaving some fabrics or imitations thereof so keep your eyes peeled!


Posted by M: October 22, 2025


Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.

Previous Entry  . . . .  Next Entry


Comment Section

NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!



2026

Review: Commarker Titan 1
 
Pesky Descriptors
 
Top Purchases 2025
 

2025


2024


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015


2014




divider

(c) 2026 Metals by Mark®, all rights reserved