cordswhile

cordswhile is a term used in ropecraft to describe a method for maintaining uniform tension across multiple cords while forming a knot, weave, or braid. The technique is intended to reduce uneven loading, slip, and fraying, and it is most often discussed in decorative knotting and light rigging contexts such as macramé and paracord projects.

Etymology and usage: The word is a portmanteau of cord and while, reflecting the practice of applying tension continually as work proceeds. The term is informal and not part of formal knot lexicons; it appears in online tutorials and hobbyist guides rather than standard manuals.

Technique: Practitioners describe cordswhile as coordinating the tension of several cords in an alternating sequence, tightening in small, deliberate steps and using a temporary guide such as a bead, clip, or finger hold to preserve alignment. This helps achieve even surface textures and can improve knot security for certain patterns.

Variants and context: Some guides contrast cordswhile with simultaneous, full-length tightening, arguing that the former yields greater control in complex patterns. The approach is most common in decorative knotting, paracord crafts, and beginner sail rigging where ease of maintenance and visual uniformity are valued.

See also: knot tying, macramé, rigging, cordage, paracord.

References: No formal standard; information is drawn from hobbyist forums and instructional videos.