Clove Hitch Knot:
This knot is used to tie the wheat for plaiting (weaving). We use cotton button thread or carpet thread.
Hold the straw horizontal. Lay the short end of your thread (about 3 inches) over the front of the straws and hold it with your thumb. Take the long end around the straw and back to the front on the left side of the short end. Now take the long end around the straw again on the right side of the short end. As you make this move, stick out your finger to catch the thread. This will form a loop connecting your two loops you just made. Pass the long end through this loop and pull the two ends of the thread to snug the knot. Do not pull so snuggly that you cut through the straw, but tight enough to hold the straw securely.
Surgeon’s Friction Knot:
Since we will trim the ends of the thread close to the knot, we like to secure the knot with the surgeon’s friction knot. With the right thread, make two wraps over the left thread and pull it tight around the bundle of wheat. Now take the left thread and make one wrap over the right thread and pull tight. Now trim the threads close to the knot.