How To Make A Cord Rosary

For Roman Catholics and other Christians of different traditions, the rosary is an indispensable tool for meditating and praying. For Catholics, they use the rosary to meditate the lives of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the other hand, the Anglicans and the Episcopals use their own rosary to undergo a series of meditative prayer that are more personal.

Creating your very own rosary with a string is an easy craft that you can do alone or with your friends or family. Cord rosaries are great gifts. Of course, purchasing one from a gift shop is not a bad idea, but it is more thoughtful and sweet to hand a gift that you yourself had personally created and added your love and sincere care for the person. Plus, you can add creativity to the rosary, creating from materials that you love made of colors and shapes that you will surely adore.

Using a cord to make a rosary is very fruitful. If you have kids, you can do this craft together and impart to them lessons in creativity, hard work, determination and spirituality. A personally made rosary cord is also a great gift for your children on their first communion or just a “thinking about you” gift.

For children who want to try this craft, be sure to let your parents guide you. You will use a lighter in securing the ends of your rosary so you might burn your fingers.

In making your very own cord rosary, just follow these easy steps.

1.) Use your left hand to hold the cord and let at least 7 inches of cord hanging. Using your right hand, hold the cord and wrap it three times around your index finger. Pull the entire cord unto the three loops firmly. Now you have your first “Ave” knot.

2.) Repeat the previous step to create your first ten “Ave” knots.

3.) Leave at least a quarter of an inch after the tenth “Ave” knot. Wrap the string around your index finger four times and pull it firmly to create a larger knot. Now you have a “Pater” knot.

4.) Repeat the previous steps until you complete the five decades.

5.) Hold the string below the first “Ave” knot and wrap it below the “Ave” knot around your index finger thrice. Pull the strings and secure the knot firmly. Now, you have created your rosary chain.

6.) Hold the longer string and make a “Pater” knot, followed by three small “Ave” knots and another larger knot for the invitatory knot.

7.) Leave at least a quarter inch after your last knot and make another “Pater” knot. Leave another a quarter inch space and make two more “Pater” knots

8.) Trim the excess cord after your second knot and secure this by burning the end through a flame.

9.) Hold the piece of the cord you have trimmed or get another cord if it is too short. Lay it on your table and put your rosary over it so that the cords will have spaces between your “Pater” knots.

10.) Hold both ends of the last piece cord and tie them firmly. Create another “Pater” knot with each cord. Pull the knots very hard and secure the ends by burning over a flame. Now you have your crucifix.