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Publication Date: Friday, February 08, 2002

Knots of beauty

Life have you tied up in knots? For relaxation - and to make something beautiful - try the traditional art of Korean knotting. "Maedup," as it is known in Korea, is being taught by Youngmin Lee through the city of Pleasanton.

"There are more than 12 basic knots," said Lee. "With these knots you can make small things, like key chains or hangings."

She starts the class out with a simple project, teaching one or two knots at a time, then gives the students more materials for fancier items. They end up with wall hangings, bracelets, necklaces or rings, or perhaps decorative dragonflies, butterflies or turtles.

"I have to go to Korea to buy the materials," Lee said. "They are only available in Korea. At craft shops here you can find Chinese knotting cord, but it is more smooth."

Korean knotting also matches colors differently than Chinese, and their shapes are not the same, although they are similar, Lee said. Maedup is often compared to macramˇ, but macramˇ uses many cords rather than one and the cord is rougher.

In Maedup, all the knots begin with a single cord divided into two equal lengths, which are then separately intertwined and tightened. The perfect knot is symmetrical and looks the same from both sides. For anyone who masters the 12 basic knots, there are a total of 33.

On a recent Monday morning, six women sat around a table in the Cultural Arts Building on Black Avenue for their fourth week of instruction. They had awls, hooks and cords in front of them as they worked on various projects. Lee was guiding them individually.

"It's a hobby kind of thing," said Nancy McCarthy. "I learned from Youngmin before, when we were in a play group. It's lots of fun. You can do it when you only have 10-15 minutes, and you can make something pretty."

Amy Sohn and Clara Dong began coming to the classes together after they read about it in the city's activities guide. Dong was using a thick practice cord before graduating to medium and thin cords for the prettiest effect. The smaller pieces look better with the thinnest cord, Lee explained.

Lee also teaches an after-school class at Harvest Park Middle School. She says she learned some Maedup when she was in middle school in Korea, noting that it comes and goes as a fad.

The folk handicraft was passed down from one generation to another in Korea even before written history, and for awhile was a method for keeping records. Now, however, it is most commonly used in home-decorating items, such as paintings or door screens, or to decorate clothing. Cloth pouches enhanced with Maedup hold everything from eyeglasses to tobacco to fans.

Women also wear tassel knot pendants. "In Korea we don't have necklaces a lot," explained Lee. "We decorate our costumes with Maedup, maybe with coral or amber to give you happiness. Everything has its own meaning."

Normally women wear one pendant but they will use three with a traditional wedding costume, as Lee did when she was married in Korea. They were a gift from her new in-laws.

Lee, 33, worked as a fashion designer while in Korea but moved to Pleasanton five years ago for her husband to take a job as a computer engineer. Her 6-year-old daughter attends Vintage Hills Elementary.

Four years ago, Lee attended a Maedup workshop at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and then started taking weekly instruction from the teacher, Keum Ok Kim, a renowned Korean knot and gourd artist. She still meets with her once a month, although Kim is now 80. Lee has performed in knotting demonstrations at Chinese New Year Festivals in San Francisco and Oakland.

The concentration required for Korean knotting has a calming effect, Lee noted, "enhancing our mental health - as well as the beauty of life."