ng on the requisite number of threads on to
a double cord, make two buttonhole loops with the right thread round the
left one, fig. 537, then knot each thread twice over the second cord,
fig. 538. These knots must be as close together as possible. This done,
begin to make the slanting bars, inclining from left to right, with 4
threads.

The first thread on the left, marked 1 in fig. 540, serves as cord to
the threads 2, 3, 4, which are looped in succession over thread 1.

Fig. 541 represents threads 2, 3 and 4, knotted thread 1 and in the
second bar, thread 2 becoming in its turn the cord, and having threads
3, 4 and 1 knotted over it, whilst it is being held, tightly stretched
in the right hand. The knotting should be done with the left hand.

In fig. 542, which represents a bar inclining from right to left,
threads 3, 2 and 1 are knotted over thread 4; and in fig. 543, in the
second row, threads 2, 1, 4 over thread 3. Here, it has to be the left
hand that holds the thread extended from right to left, whilst the right
hand does the knotting.

[Illustration: FIG. 537. BUTTONHOLE LOOP TO THE RIGHT.]

[Illustration: FIG. 538. FASTENING THE THREADS TO THE CORD.]

[Illustration: FIG. 539. BAR SLANTING TO THE RIGHT. THE KNOT OPEN.]

[Illustration: FIG. 540. BAR SLANTING TO THE RIGHT. THREAD 2 KNOTTED
OVER THREAD 1.]

[Illustration: FIG. 541. BAR SLANTING TO THE RIGHT. THREADS 3, 4, 1 TO
BE KNOTTED OVER THREAD 2.]

Fig. 544 explains how the double bars are bound together by an ordinary
double knot.

[Illustration: FIG. 542. BAR SLANTING TO THE LEFT.]

[Illustration: FIG. 543. BAR SLANTING TO THE LEFT.]

[Illustration: FIG. 544. BARS JOINED TOGETHER.]

SINGLE CHAIN (fig. 545).--This is made with two single threads, by
knotting them alternately over each other, that is, each in turns
serving as cord to the other.

DOUBLE CHAIN (fig. 546).--The double chain is made in the same manner
as the single, only with a double thread.

Both the double and single chain are generally used in macrame gimps and
borders as a means of conducting threads of different colours, from one
part of a pattern to another, which could be done in no other way; also,
as a continuation to the Chinese knot, fig. 607, as described at the end
of this chapter.

[Illustration: FIG. 545. SINGLE CHAIN.]

[Illustration: FIG. 546. DOUBLE CHAIN.]

RIBBED BORDER (fig. 547).--Here, the same cord runs to and fro; the 4
threads that hang down, form