Saturday, July 18, 2015

Chinese Knotting Cord - Compare Sizes

Chinese Knotting Cord - Compare Sizes


Chinese Knotting Cord is a braided nylon cord with a central core. It is available in many sizes and  quality. Sometimes braided polyester is sold as Chinese Knotting Cord instead of nylon, but polyester is more slippery and it has more stretch, but it is easier to dye than nylon. 

All the cords we carry are braided nylon, with a central core also made of nylon. This way the cord is fully fusible and the ends can be melted using a thread burner. All our cords are tested and only cords with proven record are carried. > Compare Thread Burners

Larger Sizes


Chinese Knotting Cord in 10 yd bobbins



The 10 yd length are wound on EZ- Bobs. We used to wound them on cards, but we switched to EZ-Bobs. The medium size EZ-Bobs are used for the 2mm, Medium Weight, HDQ (High Density Quality) size and 1mm size. 

~ 2 mm diameter.
Available in 5 yd/4.5 m or 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 110 yd/100 m spools. 
Jewelry quality cord, braided evenly with a matte finish.
Many of the colors match the HDQ, NewFine Weight and H Size. 
Made in China. 

~ 1.5 mm diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 158 yd/145 m spools.
High Density Quality = high count of braiding elements per inch. 
Matte finish with a good grip. 
Many of the colors match the 2mm, NewFine Weight and Micro Size H. 
Made in China.

~ 1.2 mm - 1.5 mm diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 82 yd/75 m skeins.
A classic weight for shambhala bracelets with beads diameters of 10-12 mm.
Colors matches the Fine Weight other than for dye lot shifts. 
Made in China.  

Both the Medium Weight and HDQ knot to about the same size. 

~ 1 mm diameter. 
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 130 yd/119 m spools. 
Dense and tightly braided. Low sheen finish. Good grip. 
Many of the colors match the Extra Fine and Micro Sizes E & F.
Made in Taiwan. 

FAQS
Why are the diameter approximate and why do some have two sizes? 
The first number is often found by holding the cord above a ruler, and second smaller one 1.2mm when it is squeezed… 

Grip? 
Will hold knot tightly, but may not slides as well as lower grip cords… 

Why are some of the Medium EZ-Bobs holding the cord more transparent than others? 
We used to carry EZ-Bobs made in China, but we have moved back to US production. The mold for the Medium EZ-Bobs is polished to a very smooth surface making a final bobbin that is more transparent.







Chinese Knotting Cord - Compare Sizes


All the sizes above are wound of small EZ bobs, shown thinnest to thicker from left to right. The largest three on the right are shown below. The 1mm is shown as reference. 



Chinese Knotting Cord - Compare Sizes



Smaller Sizes
~ 0.8 mm in diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 82 yd/75 m skeins.
It is a great weight for cording going through beads for shambhala bracelets.
Additional colors of similar weight can be found in the NewFine Weight listed below.
Colors matches the Medium Weight other than for dye lot shifts. 
Made in China.

~ 0.8 mm in diameter. 
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in super large 328 yd/300 m spools.
Even braid quality, just a dash denser than the Fine listed above. Matte cord finish.
Many of the colors match the 2mm, HDQ Weight and Micro Size H.
Made in China.

~ 0.7 mm diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 90 yd/82 m spools. 
Low sheen. Holds knot well.
Many of the colors match the 1mm and Micro Sizes E & F.
Made in Taiwan. 

Skins

Chinese Knotting Cord - Skeins

The Medium and Fine Weight Size come in skeins. Buying Skeins? > Read Tips on How to Unwind Skeins

Chinese Knotting Cord on Spools



The 2mm, HDQ, 1mm, New Fine & Extra Fine come in spools. It is easier to work with than skeins. 

Micro Sizes

Chinese Knotting Cord in Micro Size 0.4mm, 0.5mm to 0.6 mm





The next sizes are Micro Size E, F, G & H. The Extra Fine on the right is shown as a reference.

~ 0.6 mm in diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 110 yd/100 m spools.
Just a tad thicker than most Size G, with very smooth fine texture and even braiding.
Most colors are fairly matte, but some have iridescent strands. They are marked with *.
Some colors match the 2mm, HDQ & New Fine.
Made in China.

~ 0.5 mm in diameter.  
Available in 10 yd/ m bobbins, and in 135 yd/125 m spools.
Expect thickness, texture and dye lot variations in this size. 
Made in China.

~ 0.5 mm diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 100 yd/91 m spools. 
A tad thinner than Size G. Even in thickness and texture.
Many of the colors match the 1mm, Extra Fine and Micro Sizes E.
Made in Taiwan. 

~ 0.4 mm diameter.
Available in 10 yd/9 m bobbins, and in 270 yd/247 m spools. 
Even in thickness and texture.
Many of the colors match match 1mm, Extra Fine & Micro Size F.
Made in Taiwan. 



Chinese Knotting Cord Spools - Micro Sizes


 I hope this will help you choose the best braided nylon for you next project.

Still confused or interested in trying this cord out? 
Order a few 10 yd bobbins to try out or order some sample cards at > Chinese Knotting Cord



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are these cords colorfast? Will the color come off if someone is sweating or if they get it wet?

Marion Hunziker-Larsen said...

Yes they are colorfast and the cord can be washed.