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Ju-i Knot

Description: The Ju-i Knot is a unique combination of four Chinese Cloverleaf knots arranged in an arrow formation. One knot is vertical, two are turned sideways, and the last one rests between the other three.

The design resembles a ceremonial scepter with scalloped edges. In Chinese folklore the name means "your heart's desire" and symbolizes power and good fortune. It's frequently used in jewelry designs and along the edges of other projects.

This knot is challenging to tighten, so try to make the four Cloverleaf knots as small as possible. In the images, the knots were made larger than usual so you can see the details better.

These instructions are different than what you find on the Cloverleaf Knot page. The end result is the same, so use the technique you are most comfortable with.

Here is the key to the images and instructions:

BIGHTS = Folded segments (labeled 1 - 3)
LOOPS = Circular with crossing point (labeled A - C)
ARROWS = Show direction and angle

Step 1: To practice the Ju-i Knot, you need one cord at least 60 inches long.

Fold the cord in half and secure it vertically to your board. Mentally label it as bight 1.

Rotate the right half of the cord counter-clockwise to form loop A.

Fold it to create bight 2.

Move it left and pass it into bight 1 over - under, arranged horizontally.

Rotate the right half of the cord counter-clockwise to form loop B.

Fold it to create bight 3.

Move it forward and pass it into bight 2 over - under, arranged vertically.

Step 2: Rotate the right half of the cord counter-clockwise to form loop C.

Move it through bight 3 over - under, heading right.

Pass it under the left half of the cord and under the left side of loop A.

Move the right half to the left, passing it over the left side of loop A and over the left half of the cord.

Bring it through bight 3 under - over.

Tighten the first Cloverleaf for the Ju-i Knot by pulling on all three loops first, which will tighten the center area (bights).

Then reduce the size of each loop in the order they were constructed (A, B, C).

Step 3: Turn the first knot sideways, so the left half is heading vertically toward the back of the board (backward).

Start the next Cloverleaf knot by folding it to the left to form bight 1.

Rotate the left portion clockwise to form loop A.
Fold it to form bight 2.

Pass it into bight 1 over - under, heading right horizontally.

Important: Make sure the segment between the two knots remains straight and is not kinked.

Rotate the left half clockwise to form loop B, then fold it to form bight 3.

Pass bight 3 into bight 2 over - under, heading forward vertically.

Step 4: Create the third clockwise loop with the left half of the cord.

Move it over - under bight 3, heading left. Pass it under the segment between the two knots, and under the right side of loop A.

Move the left half to the right, passing over loop A, over the segment between the two knots, and through bight 3 under - over.

When you tighten this Cloverleaf Knot, make sure the segment between the two knots is around 2 inches.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create the third Cloverleaf for the Ju-i Knot.

The 2-inch segments between the knots will fold to form two 1-inch bights for the fourth knot. Make sure they are not kinked or twisted.

Mentally number them A and B as shown.

Step 6: Turn the third Cloverleaf knot sideways, so bight B is horizontal.

Bring the left half of the cord over bight B vertically, heading backward. Then bring it forward, passing under bight B.

Secured the curved segment next to knot 3.

Turn the first Cloverleaf sideways. Curve bight A forward, then slide it into bight B over - under.

It should be arranged vertically and rest to the left of the left half of the cord.

Step 7: Move the right half of the cord to the right, passing it over - under bight B, and under the left half of the cord.

Move it under the secured segment next to the third knot (curved portion).

Move the right half of the cord to the left, passing it over the curved segment next to the third knot, and over the left half of the cord.

Pass it through bight B under - over.

Step 8: Tightening the Ju-i Knot can be a challenge. Start by pulling on the segments between the first three Cloverleaf knots, which will tighten the fourth (in the center).

There will be too much space between the knots once you do this, so you will need to remove the slack in a specific order:

Remove the slack beginning with the second knot and moving forward to the fourth knot in the center.

Continue toward the first and third knots, pulling the slack out all the way through them.

Head toward the fourth knot, then all the way through to the ends.

Give the loops a final tug to make sure the center of each knot is tight.

When using slippery material like nylon, you may need to add glue in the center of each knot.

The Ju-i Knot is finished.

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