Knots are an incredibly versatile tool to use in your spells. They allow you to cast powerful spells with pretty much anything you can tie in a knot. These spells can range from something as simple as tying your shoes or braiding your hair, to complex and beautiful knotted crafts. Some people will tell you that things like the material or colors that you choose heavily impact your cord magic and you can incorporate them if you like, but a knot is a knot and all you really need is a cord of some sort.
If you like working with color in your magic a lot then by all means, choose your cord for the color but otherwise it isn’t necessary.
Possible materials to choose from include:
- Rope
- Chord
- Yarn
- Floss
- Copper wire
- Chains
- Vines
- Sinews
- Scarves
- Etc…
The basic premise is that as you tie the knot you’re binding your intention. You can think of the knot as an anchor point for an idea that you want to manifest.
What kinds of ideas? Pretty much everything. I’m not joking, I can’t think of a form of magic that can’t be performed using a knot. Curses, binding spells, new love spells, healing spells, full moon spells, protective spells, prosperity and luck spells, it can all be done with a knot. Traditionally, knot spells were heavily associated with air elemental magic and with weather magics. Traditionally, witches would use knotted cord to create witches ladders but this certainly isn’t the only way this sort of spell can be used. Knots are a powerful tool precisely because of their simplicity and versatility so feel free to get creative with this magical practice!
What kinds of knots can be used in spells like these?
Absolutely any knot can be used to cast a spell. For quickies I like your typical square knot (also called a reef knot), for more complicated spells you might choose a more ornate knot or even an entire set of knots to make jewelry.
Along those same lines, needlework like knitting and crochet can be used in the exact same manner. This type of knot magic can become very elaborate, including the use of various stitches, patterns and projects to achieve your intent.
Are there any bad things about knot spells?
Yes, unfortunately there are. Since knots are a physical representation of the spell, if the knot gets broken the spell is broken as well. This isn’t always a drawback though, it means that your spells are easily undone if you ever feel the need.
Lovers Knots
This spell is designed to be made by a pair who are already lovers. It’s designed as an activity to bring you together and to remind you of each other when things get rough.
Think of it as a magic reservoir of each other’s love for when you can’t be together or are having a spat.
Each of you will make a bracelet for the other and place intentions into the bracelet you make. Your intention could be to protect them, to tie the two of you together, or to help solve a particular problem between the two of you. The important thing about this is that both parties participate and have discussed what they want out of the spell.
Here are a few knot bracelet tutorials as ideas.
Pick one and get knotting! With each knot that you make, think and meditate on your intention but this doesn’t need to be a somber thing. Laugh and chat with your lover and really get the love flowing between the two of you. Use this as a chance to really get close with your partner. The emotion and positive energy that you have during this is going to stick so no being mad at each other or arguing or nit picking or talking about the dishes or anything. Take this time to just be in love.
If you want, when you’ve finished making the bracelet you can let it charge in sunlight or moonlight or say an incantation or prayer to a deity over it, whatever works with your practice. Now swap and wear your new lovers knots.
If, for any reason, you wish to undo the spell, each knot in the bracelet must be broken. This can be done by going through and untying each one, by cutting each one or by burning the entire bracelet (if it’s flammable). A single knot left unbroken will still retain its power.
Despite being named “Lovers Knots”, this spell can be used by any pair of people or even a group! Friends, siblings and parents with their children can all modify this spell for their use.
In a group you can have a rotation of sorts, each person begins a bracelet, makes maybe an inch and then passes it in one direction around the circle where the next person will make another inch and continue passing it. Each bracelet will have been made in part by every member of the group. Activities of this sort are excellent for covens!
Lucky Knot Spell
Another good example for the uses of knots in magic, this spell works a little differently than the last. Each knot is designed to be a pre-made “quick release” spell. You should choose a cord material that is easy for you to untie.
Prep for this spell however you like, cast a circle, consecrate your length of string, call your deities, etc. Now, pick a number for your spell, you could choose a lucky number or choose your number based on numerology, planetary associations, or some other method.
Begin by creating your first knot. This knot is your anchor, it sets the framework for the entire spell, imbue it with the intention that each subsequent knot will be a holder. The idea is to have a spell attached to each knot and as the knot is untied, the spell is released and activated. Once you finish with your first knot you can move to the second knot and so on, with each knot that you make charge the knot with your intention, in this case, luck. You can do this in a number of ways, meditating, chanting, incantations, and prayers all work. The incantation below is just an example of something I’ve used before.
Ex. As the winds of fortune blow, so too does my good luck grow. Every knot a lucky turn, luck grant me all things for which I yearn.
When you reach the last knot, finish your ritual in your preferred way, close your circle, ground, thank any spirits that you work with, etc. You can now keep the cord with you and whenever you need a little burst of luck (before a test or interview, talking to your crush, competing, anything like that) just untie a knot. You can create a very unique collection of charmed bracelets this way and can even incorporate additional talismans and charms to make your magic work more powerful.
Elevating Your Knot Spells
Simple is all well and good — a staple of knot magic — and great if you’re in a hurry or need a spell fast with limited resources. However, if you’ve got the time, why not put a little extra effort into this simple magic and crank up the power of your spells?
Altar knot: As I mentioned, I like using simple cord. I also like decorating my altar in any way I can, so I incorporated knot spells into the candles I burn weekly. I suggest using candles in glass jars because the last thing you want is for your knot spell to burn away. Whatever your intention, create a knot spell and wrap it around your candles. If you’d like to take the magic with you, dip the knot in the candle wax and wear it around your left wrist or ankle until it’s time to return to the altar.
Stone knot: Take a drilled stone that fits your spell, and loop the cord around this stone before tightly securing the knot. This simply clarifies your intent and makes a nice looking, wearable spell. These also make great gifts for both the magical or non-magical people in your life. If you are giving the knot spell as a gift, be sure to tell the recipient what the spell is for so they can focus the magic for themselves. Whether or not they practice magic, I find that non-witches still gravitate toward amulets they believe bring them some kind of benefit. That belief then fuels whatever magic you’ve already done for them.
Soaking: Great for protection spells. Create a bath of saltwater or diluted vinegar and soak your cord in this water before using it for your knot spell. You can charge the water with water safe stones, powders, or oil (if you’re going to wear the knot, make sure the oils are safe for the skin) before letting it dry and proceeding with your spell. If you want the knots to be extra tight, tie them while the cord is still wet. When dry, those knots will be sealed tighter than a drum. Good to use for when you want something to stay a secret.
Two cords: These can be done a few different ways. If you’d like something to happen to you, like winning at the casino or getting a job, make one piece of cord represent the job, and the other cord represent you. Tie them tightly together so what you want to happen is connected to you. If you’re performing a love spell or trying to keep your partner close, the two cords can represent each of you in the relationship, bound together. These knots can be sealed with wax and special attention should be paid to detail here. The colors, length, and number of knots should be a clear representation of you and your partner.
Banishing knot: Aside from the altar knots, this is what I use knot magic for most regularly. Knots are binding by nature, and using them to stop someone else’s actions is a no-brainer. I use black cord, tie it in three knots focusing on specific reasons why I want the person gone or to stop what they are doing, then freeze the knot in a small ice cube. Inevitably, though, someone in my household will take the ice cube out of the freezer, ask me “what’s this?” then walk away, leaving the ice cube to melt in the sink. Not good! If you want this spell to be more permanent, go to your local hobby store and buy a tube of resin, then use this to seal the knot in suspension indefinitely, thus “freezing” the person from bothering you again.
Smoking the knot: You can run the knot through incense smoke or the smoke of a candle to bless the knot. This can be done before starting any work or as a final step after the spell is complete. Fir example, if you’re making a spell to help with dream magic, you could burn mugwort. For positivity and happiness, frankincense. For prosperity, juniper. Ask the plant spirits to imbue your knots with their power as the smoke wafts over your work.
Braiding knot: Connecting three or more cords together can be done to bind a family or group of friends together, especially if there are stormy waters on the horizon. Hang the braid on the front door of the home or in the kitchen as a way to keep the group bonded together through thick and thin. Don’t forget to braid in additional cords for your pets!
Unconventional knots: Just because tradition dictates knot spells should be done using cord or string doesn’t mean you should only use this technique. If you’re a kitchen witch, bake bread knots or candy knots. If you’re an earth witch, use the stems of leaves or strips of bark to make your knot spells. If you’re a water witch, dip the cord in water before tying, and if you work with air, blow onto each knot to infuse it with your intent. However you work best, you can find a way to work knot spells into your craft so you are drawing on the sources of power that you are most familiar with.
Burning knots: Knot spells are easy spells to break; you simply untie them and the spell is undone. Of course, if you prefer a more dramatic ending to the spell, you can burn the knot instead. This method can be useful for when knot spells are supposed to be broken — for example, breaking bad luck, ending difficult relationships, or getting rid of bad energy in your life. Create a knot spell that represents whatever you’d like to get rid of and then set it on fire (safely, of course) and bury the ashes.
Incorporating knots: When writing spells, witches will often turn to the big three: Candles, stones, and herbs. But if you’re short on any of the above, or just want to try something new with your spells, add knots. Tie them around tarot cards to bind two courses of action together. Add them to the tops of jar spells to seal the jar with another layer of your intention. Gold and silver jewelry wire makes for beautiful knots and can be twisted around stones and candles. Tie a knot while reciting your spell, thus “closing” the spell in two ways. You can carry the spell with you wherever you go by binding it to a chain of knots and transforming it into a talisman.
Knot spells lend themselves to so many styles of witchcraft that I’ve barely scratched the surface on the different ways to use them. Truly, there is no limit. So, whether you want to keep it simple or go into more detail, adding knots is an easy way to expand your knowledge and make your craft infinitely more versatile!
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Updated on September 8, 2025 by Avery Hart
