Whether displaying a set of your finest wine glasses or providing a resting place for your favourite coffee cup, these simple yet classic coasters are the perfect addition to your table. Cords radiate from a Chinese crown knot to be mounted onto a ring and then woven to create a stylish circle design.
1. Wrap the 13cm (5in) ring with the 2.5m (81⁄4ft) length of 3mm (1⁄8in) rope and set aside.
2. Divide the eight 70cm (275⁄8in) lengths of 3mm (1⁄8in) rope into two groups of four cords, and lay each group down on a flat surface so they cross over at the centre. Tie a Chinese crown knot to secure the two groups of cords together. You now have four groups of four cords radiating out from what will become the centre of the coaster.
3. Separate the sixteen single cords so they are radiating outwards from the centre of the design. Take the 13cm (5in) wrapped ring and place it on top of the cords, ensuring the Chinese crown knot is in the centre of the ring and the cords are evenly spaced around the ring.
4. Tie all cords onto the ring with double half hitches, ensuring the spaces between each cord are even all the way around. This creates a negative space that will be used as the warp for your weave in step 5. Trim all cord ends to 4cm (11⁄2in).
5. Starting directly beneath the Chinese crown knot in the centre of the design and using the 4m (131⁄4ft) length of 4mm (5⁄32in) rope as your weft thread, begin a soumak weave in a two over two under pattern. Work around in a clockwise direction and continue until you have completely woven the negative space.
6. Use a weaving finishing technique to weave in all ends into the back of the design.
