Nose button knot-herringbone style

This tutorial covers the nose button knot in the herringbone pattern.

The nose button knot is commonly found as part of a bosal, but you can just as easily use it as a decorative knot in other projects. The name implies where the knot is located, so at the nose of the horse.

It is an unique knot indeed. It can be made as wide as you want it to be- by adding additional strands. It can be made as long as you need it to be- by wrapping your strands additional times around the object you are covering. Finally, the knot is tied with all of the ends of your strands! This means the ends are tucked safely under the knot.

While tying a knot with all of the ends at the same time may seem intimidating, it is actually quite easy. It is covered in Bruce Grant’s Encyclopedia of rawhide and leather braiding.

This tutorial covers the herringbone style of the nose button knot which is more common.

The tutorial

For this demonstration I will be covering a 1 inch (2.5cm) diameter object- a broomstick handle. For this diameter 6 strands of gutted 550 paracord should be enough. For a relatively short knot about 2 inches long (5cm) these strands should be about 3 feet long (90cm) each. So 6 strands, each 3 feet long.

Start off by tying the strands onto your object at about the middle point of the strands.

Spread your strands around the object with about equal gaps.

Wrap your strands around your object like this.

Secure the other side of the wrap by again tying your strands onto your object. Spread the strands around the object on this side as well.

Start tying on the right. Take a strand and pass it under the next one (above).

Continue over-under-over-under.

Do this with all the strands on the right. So a sequence of under-over-under-over-under.

This brings the strands from the left to the middle.

Continue tying on the right. Take a strand and pass it over-under (this time below).

Continue over-under-over-under.

This brings your strand next to the strand coming from the right. Place your strand just above it.

Do this with all of the strands from the left, bringing them to the middle of the knot.

So the entire sequence is over-under-over-under-over-under.

Each strand from the left meets up with a strand from the right under the same under.

We now take the left strand and follow the right one all the way to the right.

We take the right strand and follow the left one all the way to the left.

Do this with all of the strands.

Continue on the right. Take a strand as pass under two (below).

Continue over two-under two-over two-under two to the middle of the knot.

Do the same thing with all the strands from the right.

So each strand has a sequence of under two-over two-under two-over two-under two.

Continue tying on the right. Take a strand over two-under two (above).

Continue over two-under two-over two-under two.

You now reach the same spot with a strand from the right.

Do this with all the strands from the left.

So the entire sequence is over two-under two-over two-under two-over two-under two.

Tighten up the knot and trim the ends as close to the knot as possible. I usually tension my strands, then cut.

Melt the strands lightly (at the middle of the knot).

Roll the knot hard under a plank which will make the knot a lot more consistent and hide the ends under the strands.

And that is the nose button knot in the herringbone style. Takes a bit of practice, but it really is a special knot.

The video tutorial below will surely come in handy for this one, enjoy!