The toggle knot- ABoK 615

Let’s take a look at this handy knot!

Most of us have already conquered the lanyard knot, which is the knot we mostly use for our “ball and loop” style bracelets.

The toggle knot serves a similar function, but it is in a different category. You would mostly use it to show off your knotting skills and to make an attractive toggle for your bracelets.

It is harder to tie than the before mentioned lanyard knot, but still, it can be a nice way to spice up your bracelets. It is also much much less used than the lanyard knot.

Personally, I am proud to be able to tie this knot, I think it looks amazing!

The knot is featured in the Ashley’s book of knots under number 615 and it is a turk’s head. An 8 lead 3 bight turk’s head to be exact. This is important to us mostly because, knowing this, we can apply the rules that we have learned from tying other TH knots. At this point I would like to credit Melvin Thomas for the runlist he provided for this knot. I did deviate a bit from it, but not by much.

In any case though, I think that with persistence and patience you will be able to learn this knot without much trouble. I have prepared a photo, as well as video tutorial below.

A few more images of the knot:

 

With that said, enjoy and let’s get this toggle onto our bracelets!

What you will need

I would recommend gathering the following items to tie the knot:

The ABoK 615 tutorial

I have been tying the knot on a mandrel without pins. I find this to be better practice. The more you tie turk’s head knots, the more you see the patterns. If you would prefer to use pins though, you can use the tutorial Dman made (his tutorials are VERY good).

So, to start off I have used a rubber band to secure my standing end. For making a toggle for your bracelets, you will want to leave a small length of cord in your standing end, maybe half a foot or a bit less.

The mandrel prepared for tying the knot.

With the preparations done, follow the steps below:

Do two turns around the mandrel.

Go back, over one.

Then under one.

Make a turn around the mandrel. (Note that we do not cross over like shown in the image)

Go under the first cord.

And over the second.

We then form a new bight.

Going over two.

Under two.

Over one (the standing end).

We then form a new bight to the left and go under two.

Then over two.

And under one.

The final pass now is over, then under.

And again over, then under.

With this done, we have completed our work with the standing end.

We now switch to the standing end.

We attach the lacing needle.

We now need to get the standing end to the middle, just like the working end is.

We go over, then under the bight to the bottom of the standing end.

This is how it looks like now.

We do another over and under, at which point we have tied our ABoK 615.

Knot completed.

What now?

So, we have tied the knot. We now need to tighten it up.

I usually tie the knot on a smaller mandrel, about 3/8 of an inch thick dowel rod. It is MUCH easier to tighten.

The knot on a dowel rod.

I like to insert the a small piece of a toothpick to stiffen up the knot before tightening.

Dman, a fellow paracorder suggests using hot water to stiffen up the knot when tightened.

Making a toggle

We have tied the knot, but how can you transform it into a toggle for your bracelets?

I usually do this:

Take your knot (as tied).

Take your standing end.

Feed it through the right side of the knot.

Take your working end. Feed the end through the middle of the knot.

Pull it through completely.

Feed it through the left part of the knot.

The end result, with a core for your knots, a toggle and neatly tucked ends.

In conclusion

This is not something that is usually done on the first go. Keep at it and you will get it down.

I have made a video tutorial as well, that should prove quite useful: