How to Tie a Snake Knot: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
The snake knot is a simple and versatile decorative knot that creates a compact, textured pattern along a cord. It is a popular technique in handmade jewelry, macramé, keychains, bracelets, and other cord crafts.
With just a single length of cord, you can create a neat series of repeating knots. Once you understand the basic movement, the snake knot is easy to repeat and can be customized to create different lengths and patterns.
Whether you're completely new to knotting or looking for a new technique for your next handmade project, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the process step by step.
What Is a Snake Knot?
The snake knot is a repeating cord-knotting technique that produces a slightly rounded, textured structure. When several knots are tied one after another, they form a pattern that resembles the body of a snake—hence the name.
It works particularly well for:
- Handmade bracelets
- Macramé keychains
- Phone lanyards
- Bag charms
- Decorative cord accessories
- Friendship bracelets
- DIY jewelry projects
One of the best things about the snake knot is that you can control its appearance simply by changing the number of repetitions.
More repetitions create a longer and thicker knotted section, while fewer repetitions create a shorter decorative detail.
What You’ll Need
The snake knot doesn't require many supplies.
Materials
- Cord or string
- Scissors
- A lighter for sealing synthetic cord ends, if necessary
You can experiment with different types of cord, including:
- Nylon cord
- Waxed cord
- Polyester cord
- Cotton cord
- Macramé cord
For beginners, a medium-weight cord is usually easier to handle because you can clearly see how each loop moves through the knot.
How to Tie a Snake Knot Step by Step
Follow the steps below to create your first snake knot.
Step 1: Fold the Cord in Half
Start with one length of cord.
Fold the cord in half to create a loop at the top. Hold the folded section firmly with one hand.
You now have two working strands extending from the loop.
For easier explanation, we'll refer to the two strands as A and B.
Step 2: Create the First Loop
Take the working end of cord B and bring it around the base of the loop.
This creates a small loop beside the center cord.
Keep the cord loose enough that you can clearly see the opening.
Step 3: Pass the Cord Through the Loop
Continue working with cord B.
Wrap it around cord A, then pass the working end through the loop you created in the previous step.
At this stage, don't pull the knot completely tight yet.
Keeping the loops slightly loose makes the next step much easier.
Step 4: Pull the First Knot Tight
Gently pull the working cord to tighten the knot.
You should now see the first compact section of the snake knot forming around the base cords.
Try to keep the tension even rather than pulling extremely hard.
Tip: Consistent tension is one of the most important parts of creating a neat-looking knot.
Step 5: Repeat the Same Movement
Now repeat the same wrapping movement.
Bring the working cord around the base cords and form another loop.
The process is repetitive, which makes the snake knot a great technique for beginners to practice.
Step 6: Tighten the Knot
Pull the working end gently until the second knot becomes compact.
You should now have two small knots stacked together.
Try to keep each knot approximately the same size.
This will give the finished piece a cleaner and more professional appearance.
Step 7: Continue Repeating
Continue repeating the same knotting process.
The more times you repeat the movement, the longer your snake-knot section becomes.
For a shorter decorative element, use fewer repetitions.
For a bracelet, lanyard, or keychain, continue until you reach your desired length.
Step 8: Tighten and Even Out the Knots
Once you have completed the desired number of repetitions, pull the cords gently from both ends.
This helps tighten the individual knots and creates a more uniform shape.
Take a moment to adjust any uneven loops before finishing the cord.
Step 9: Finish the Snake Knot
Your snake knot is now complete!
Depending on your project, you can:
- Trim the excess cord
- Leave the ends long for additional knots
- Attach a clasp or charm
- Add beads
- Continue with another knotting technique
If you're using nylon or polyester cord, carefully sealing the cut ends with a lighter can help prevent fraying.
Always use caution when working with an open flame.
How to Make Your Snake Knot Look Neat
A beautiful snake knot is mostly about tension and consistency.
Here are a few simple tips:
1. Keep Your Tension Consistent
Try to pull each knot with approximately the same amount of tension.
If some knots are very tight while others are loose, the finished section may look uneven.
2. Don't Pull Too Hard Too Early
When you're learning the technique, keep the loops slightly loose until you've completed the movement.
Once you understand the path of the cord, you can tighten the knot.
3. Count Your Repetitions
If you're making matching bracelets or keychains, counting the number of knots can help you create pieces with a more consistent appearance.
4. Experiment With Different Cords
The same knot can look completely different depending on the material, thickness, and color of the cord.
Try contrasting colors to make the pattern more visible, or use a single color for a clean minimalist look.
Creative Projects Using the Snake Knot
Once you've mastered the basic technique, there are many ways to incorporate the snake knot into your handmade projects.
Handmade Bracelets
Use a series of snake knots to create a textured bracelet or combine them with beads, charms, and other decorative knots.
Macramé Keychains
The compact structure of the snake knot works particularly well for handmade keychains and bag charms.
Phone Lanyards
Combine the snake knot with braided or macramé sections to create a unique handmade phone lanyard.
Friendship Bracelets
Use different colors of cord to create personalized bracelets for friends, couples, or family members.
DIY Gift Projects
Handmade knotted accessories are also a great choice for small personalized gifts.
Try Different Colors and Materials
One of the most enjoyable parts of cord crafting is experimenting.
A bright red cord can create a bold and traditional look, while pastel colors create a softer aesthetic. Natural beige, brown, sage green, and dusty rose work beautifully for a more relaxed bohemian style.
You can also combine different textures and materials to create more dimensional designs.
For example:
Cord + Beads + Charms + Snake Knots
can become a simple handmade bracelet with a completely personalized look.
Final Thoughts
The snake knot may look complicated at first, but once you understand the basic wrapping and looping movement, it becomes a simple repeating pattern.
Start slowly, focus on maintaining even tension, and practice a few repetitions before moving on to a larger project.
The beauty of handmade crafts is that small variations are part of what makes each piece unique. Don't worry if your first few knots aren't perfectly identical—keep practicing, and your technique will quickly improve.
Once you've mastered the snake knot, you can start combining it with other macramé knots, braiding techniques, beads, and charms to create your own handmade designs.
Happy knotting and keep creating!
— HalocordStudio
Ready to try it yourself? Explore our handmade bracelets and DIY kits to find cords, charms, and craft inspiration.
