Solomon's Knot - Crochet

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	Kate Pullen BellaOnline's Crochet Editor

Solomon's Knot

Solomon's Knot Market bag

Sol Knot

Close up of Solomon's Knot

Solomon's Knot (also known as Lovers Knot) is an extremely versatile crochet stitch, with the finished effect belying the simplicity of the stitch. It is a traditional knot stitch which appears in many vintage and antique patterns, however works very well with contemporary crochet.

When crocheted in a fine silk, the Solomon's Knot creates a wonderful draping fabric, perfect for light weight scarves to provide a lacy cover-up such as a shawl or shrug and when worked in a craft cotton - or even parcel string, will make a great market bag - an item which is very 'in' at the moment.

The knot is a simple technique, combining Crochet Chain with Single Crochet (US) and is ideal for both beginners and more advanced crocheters looking to learn a new technique. There are many different ways of forming this stitch - however this is the way that I find easiest.

Solomon's Knot Instructions

Using basic crochet techniques the Solomon's Knot is a useful and versatile crochet stitch to know.

A Solomon's Knot is formed by a series of stitches and if you look at it closely you will see that it is made up of a series of groups of 4 large loops each topped with a Single Crochet, (known as half knots) making an X. The bottom half of the X is worked first and is formed in sets of 2 half knots over one row, and the top half over the returning row. The work is turned by making three half knots at the start of every new row. Note: A 'Half Knot' is simply an extended Chain Stitch topped with a Single Crochet.

To make a Solomon's Knot, use an oddment of yarn and an appropriate size crochet hook work as follows;

2: First Loop

3: Make SC

Sol Knot

4: a 'Half Knot'

5: Make SC

1/ First 'half knot' � make slip knot then make a LONG single chain, drawing the hook and yarn out to make a long loop of 3/4 inch or 2cms or so.

2/ Make a Single Crochet by putting the hook under the single thread at the back of the long chain (see illustration). This feels slightly odd at first as you are crocheting into a very loose stitch, however if you hold the stitch tightly in your left hand it won't pull any looser! This is called a Half Knot.

3/ Second Half Knot: repeat as above. These 'Half Knots' form the bottom part of the Solomon's Knot 'X'

4/ Repeat the process making another 5 'half knots' which gives 7 in total. The illustration to the left shows the Single Crochet which is formed at the end of each 'Long Chain'.

5/ Counting 3 loops (three half knots) back from the hook, Single Crochet into the Single Crochet between the 3rd and 4th loop from the hook

6/ Repeat the steps above to make a further two Half Knots and missing the next Single Crochet in the previous row, Single Crochet into the next (in effect leaving two big loop between each Single Crochet. This forms the complete stitch.

Continue working in this manner. To turn the work, make three half knots at the start of each row and crochet into the single crochet between the third and fourth Half Knot.

To make the Market Bag above - I simply used craft cotton and made one oblong shaped panel which I joined along one side and along the bottom. I threaded ribbon through the knots and made a handle using Single Crochet.

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