rosary workshop - Instructions & Resources
ROSARIES: TWINE / CORD
HOW TO MAKE KNOTTED CORD ROSARIES
& CHAPLETS
If
you are interested in making mission rosaries or want to make rosaries
to share with friends, consider the knotted cord rosary or chaplet.
This technique of prayer counting is one of the very first ever used by
the early fathers of the church. A very simple, available, inexpensive,
rewarding and much needed ministry.
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MAKING A CHAPLET OR ROSARY - DYING THE CORD READERS COMMENTS - RANGER ROSARIES GREAT INSTRUCTIONS: CORD R0SARIES - BOOKLET Knotted cord rosaries were issued in Viet Nam to various members of our armed forces. Chaplains would give knotted khaki cord rosaries to the troops to carry into battle. We also heard that they were worn around the neck and smuggled into countries where the church was not allowed. They were safe as metal detectors would not pick them up. TRADITION OF THE KNOTTED PRAYER
CORD
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~ CORD and TWINE SUPPLIER ~
FNT NOW SELLS KITS, SUPPLIES FOR MILITARY
ROSARIES
FNT INDUSTRIES, INC.
please order
directly from manufacturer
for samples, tax and postage
info write:
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GREAT SOLID COLORS - see
them all!
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GREAT TRI - COLORS - see them
all!
#36 TWINE FOR ROSARY MAKING
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FOR MAKING ROSARIES FOR THE MILITARY (also a list of where to send rosaries for distribution)
DYES
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~ KNOTTING INSTRUCTIONS ~
These knotted rosaries and chaplets are made up of one single, wrapped knot which is repeated for each bead, using different sizes for different prayer beads. It is also used to make the cross. Take a length of cord and try several before beginning. We made the chaplet first. FIRST MAKE A TEST KNOT
Note: sometimes the loops want to cross over themselves while you are trying to tighten them on the host cord. Either correct or start that knot over. We discovered that as the loops are released from the finger to the host cord you can tighten the loose knot by slowly pulling and rolling it with your fingers (away from yourself). As the knot gets smaller you can also position it on the cord. Once in place, give it a tug to secure it. |
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3 wraps for Ave beads (easiest) 5 wraps for Paternoster beads (little harder) 2 wraps (double cord) to connect and form the loop 5 to 7 wraps for beads that form cross (somewhat difficult) Try the the chaplet first then develop your own sequence to fit a favorite devotion. SUPPLIES & MEASUREMENTS
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~ KNOTMAKING TOOLS ~
OTHER ROSARYMAKERS ... PLUMBING TUBING ...
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~ MAKING a CHAPLET or ROSARY ~
We became acquainted with knotted prayer cords when
our son Peter's wife Lenice made a ‘peace chaplet' for each member of the
family while in Medjugjore in 87. She said they were given cord and instructions
while riding on the pilgrim bus.
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Made popular again at medjugorje with 7 sets of 3 beads each. Called the 'Grandmothers Prayer', they have a long history. 
+ 5 DECADE ROSARIES Traditional 'Dominican Rosary' or 'Catholic Rosary' is prayed by Christians all over the world. + 
+ VARIATIONS Variations of these two may be made in any configuration that suits personal prayer + The Anglican Rosary with its 4 sets of 10, or prayer ropes for the Orthodox Churches are two considerations. |
PEACE CHAPLET - 3 1/2 yards #36 cord 5 DECADE ROSARY - 5 1/2 yards #36 cord 1. BURN CORD OFF OF TUBE
2. FOLD CORD IN HALF - START IN CENTER
-- a. FIRST KNOT - Using 3 wraps, make first knot. Repeat twice,
keeping beads close together and tight. Leave a 1/2in space at most.
3. FORMING LOOP
4. FORMING PENDANT
5. FORMING CROSS
-- f. TO FORM CROSSBAR - tie a 15in cord directly under the
knot (first part of a shoelace knot)
6. BURN OFF ENDS:
-- i. TRIM ONE END - with scissors about 1/4 in away
from rosary.
7. PRAY - PRAY - PRAY!
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~ TIE DYE INSTRUCTIONS ~
1. PREPARE DYE - according to package instructions.
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~ READERS COMMENTS ~
... I was probably the only Baptist ...
... a gift to share with others ...
... I have just begun
my journey ...
... 'just ask for
the rosary cord' ...
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~ RANGER ROSARIES ~
A WONDERFUL ROSARY DEVELOPED BY SGT FRANK V RISTAINO MADE OF PARACHUTE CORD AND PONY BEADS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL. READ ABOUT IT IN THIS ARTICLE THEN GO TO THE LINK BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS. |
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By George P. Matysek Jr. - Review staff correspondent ANNAPOLIS – The parachute cord used by U.S. soldiers is designed to hold up to 550 pounds of weight. But these days it’s also supporting the prayers and special intentions of hundreds of servicemen thanks to a parishioner of St. Mary in Annapolis and the students of St. Mary’s High School. + Using strands of olive-green parachute cord and black plastic beads, St. Mary’s students have been crafting hundreds of "ranger rosaries" since January. The rosaries will be blessed by the Redemptorist priests of the parish and donated to members of the Maryland Army National Guard and the 82nd Airborne Division who are preparing for possible deployment to the Persian Gulf and elsewhere. + Identical to the ranger rosaries St. Mary parishioners made a few years ago and donated to U.S. soldiers in Bosnia, the spiritual gifts are designed to show support for the men and women serving in the American armed forces. "I think it’s a great thing to do," said Katie Colgan, an 18-year-old St. Mary’s senior, as she carefully threaded some beads onto the flexible parachute cord. + "We’re giving them hope," she said. "They’ll know that God is watching over them while they serve our country." The ranger rosaries were the idea of Frank V. Ristaino, a St. Mary parishioner and a sergeant in the Maryland Army National Guard. During training as a young army recruit in 1981, Sgt. Ristaino used the parachute cord and beads in land navigation drills. Every 72 paces, he pulled one of the beads down his cord to indicate that he had walked 100 meters. + "I looked down at it one day and thought it would be a great idea for a rosary," he said. With the help of his wife, Barbara, and the eldest of their 10 children, Sgt. Ristaino made 800 of the rosaries which were distributed in Bosnia. They proved to be wildly popular with chaplains requesting more every year. "They match the uniform and they look military," said Sgt. Ristaino, noting that the ranger rosaries include no metal parts that would reflect light or make rattling sounds in the field. + "They’re very durable," he added. "They don’t break apart like a lot of regular rosaries." Sgt. Ristaino acknowledged that most of the men and woman who accept the rosaries don’t know how to use them. Some are Protestants who simply like the idea of carrying a spiritual reminder in their pockets, he said. "It’s a start," said Sgt. Ristaino. "The whole message of the rosary is a message of peace. We train hard for war and pray for peace." + Chaplain Major W. Ray Williams of the Maryland 29th Infantry Division said he saw firsthand how popular the ranger rosaries were when he served in Bosnia. While the army provides simple plastic rosaries for anyone who wants one, he said the ranger rosaries carry more meaning for the soldiers. "If an object is going to be sacred to you, then it has to be something that speaks to you personally," said Chaplain Williams, a member of the Church of God who received a theology degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. + "When you’re 10,000 miles away from home, you want something to tie you back to home," he said. "The ranger rosaries are no better way to do that. They speak personally to (the soldiers)." Chaplain Williams said he explains the spirituality of the rosary. He also takes special care to make sure Protestants understand its significance, he said. + In making the rosaries, St. Mary’s students said they work hard to make them crisp and professional looking. The tightly wound knots that separate the decades of the rosary feature a precision that would impress even the most finicky drill instructor. + None of the ranger rosaries is completed without a final prayer. After the students attach a black plastic crucifix, they pray that the rosaries will never have to be used in or near combat. + Part of the reason students were enthused about the rosary project was because many of them come from military families, according to Joan Ruch, St. Mary’s director of development. With the Naval Academy based in Annapolis and many military and national security bases located in the Baltimore-Washington region, she said about 15 percent of St. Mary’s students have a parent who serves in the military. + "The students are very proud to support our military with this small service," she said. + For instructions on making RANGER ROSARIES go to INSTRUCTIONS |
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Our vision is to provide the finest handmade rosaries, chaplets and other fine religious art forms for personal worship we can make using the best supplies available. The Guild believes the work of our hands should give visual Glory to God, therefore for us, the best for you is very, very important. |
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