TRADITION OF THE KNOTTED PRAYER CORD
The prayer cord, a much larger pair, is traditionally worn
around the waist by various orders of brothers, priests and nuns. Tradition also
has it that the Blessed Virgin gave Dominic this type of cord to pray on. It
is often seen as the Franciscan Crown (7 decades of 10). The knotted prayer
cord has a long history. The first written information we found is the year
600 when Irish monks set 150 knots on a cord to count the Psalter (Psalms). At
the same time, the laity, most of whom couldn't read, would repeat 150 Pater
Nosters or the Divine Office which was called
‘The Poor Man's Breviary'
KNOTTING INSTRUCTIONS
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These knotted rosaries and chaplets are made up of one single, wrapped knot which is repeated for each bead, using different sizes for different prayer beads. It is also used to make the cross. Take a length of cord and try several before beginning. We made the chaplet first.
FIRST - MAKE A TEST KNOT.
1.Hold the last 6 inches of 36 in cord in your left hand, allowing the cord
to follow the length of the index finger. This will give you the 'host' cord.
2.Wrap longer end of cord (away from you) around index finger and 'host' cord
several times, moving the loops back towards the hand to cover the 'host'
cord. 3.Slip loops off of finger onto 'host' cord. 4.Slowly pull long end
of cord all the way through the loops, make sure loops remain lined up.
5.Position and tighten the knot.
Note: sometimes the loops want to cross over themselves while you are trying to tighten them on the host cord. Either correct or start that knot over. We discovered that as the loops are released from the finger to the host cord you can tighten the loose knot by slowly pulling and rolling it with your fingers (away from yourself). As the knot gets smaller you can also position it on the cord. Once in place, give it a tug to secure it.
KNOT CHART
3 wraps for Ave beads (easiest)
5 wraps for Paternoster beads (little
harder)
2 wraps (double cord) to connect and form
the loop
5 to 7 wraps for beads that form cross
(somewhat difficult)
Try the the chaplet first
then develop your own sequence to fit a favorite devotion.
SUPPLIES & MEASUREMENTS:
PEACE ROSARY - 3 1/2 yards of #36 nylon cord
matches or a lighter (lighter is best)
scissors (to trim cord ends for burning only)
Table knife (to flatten end of hot nylon cord)
Patience (to get started..its really worth it)
5 DECADE ROSARY - 6 1/2 yards of #36 nylon cord
1. BURN CORD OFF OF TUBE
(Burning seals end. It frays badly so don't cut. Tying a knot restricts the
movement of cord through loops when the knots are being made.)
2. FOLD CORD IN HALF - START IN CENTER
Fold cord in half and begin in the center.
a. FIRST KNOT - Using 3 wraps, make first knot. Repeat twice,
keeping beads close together and tight.
Leave a 1/2in space at most.
b. REPEAT - ‘a' until your count is compete . Check distances
and tightness.
c. RETURN TO CENTER - leave a 1/2 inch space. Begin next
set of 3 (or 10) knots. Repeat until count
is completed keeping an eye on how the cord is being used up
as on rosary so adjustments on decades may be made
if necessary.
3. FORMING LOOP
d. TO CONNECT - Align both end beads together in your
hand. Leave 1/2 in space.
e. KNOT TOGETHER - by looping both cords over your
finger twice. Pull two cords through. Position
and pull tight to secure. (Trim shortest cord to 1/2in and
leave till last.)
4. FORMING PENDANT
Working on longest cord. continue making knots according to need.
5. FORMING CROSS
Leave 1/2 in space. Make a knot using 5 wraps.
(let other cord hang for now).
f. TO FORM CROSSBAR - tie a 15in cord directly under the
knot (first part of a shoelace knot)
g. SECURE CROSSBAR - by tying one more knot using
5 wraps directly underneath the cross bar. Pull
knot tightly against the cross bar. Optional: Repeat knot
for longer cross. This completes the vertical part
of the cross. Let cord hang
h. FINISHING CROSSBAR - tie a knot using 5 wraps on each
side. Pull tightly against the center.
Let loose ends of cord hang.
6. BURN OFF ENDS:
Its easier to burn off all ends at one time.
i. TRIM ONE END - with scissors about 1/4 in away from rosary.
j. BURN OFF - end and quickly flatten melted nylon ball against
knot with the blunt side of a kitchen knife.
(careful, its hot)
k. REPEAT - t on other ends.
l. CLEAN ENDS - by running flame over end - if necessary.
Reheat and flatten again if needed being
careful not to burn rosary.
Cords can be mailed to
WMA Motor City PO Box 590 Romeo, Michigan 48065
As they are received they will be sent to our Chaplains who are currently deployed. They have also asked for St Michael medals and scapulars.
Items can be dropped off at Frontier Town
 | Frontier Town (586) 752-6260 67300 Van Dyke Rd Washington, Mi |
Our Marines and Sailors will be there for at least a year so this support will be ongoing.
Contributions can be sent to
WMA- Motor City PO Box 590 Romeo, Mi 48065
100% of ALL donations are used for our troops!
Marine Comfort Quilts