The Vera knot, as I like to call it, is an elegant, neat knot that works great on your cards and projects. I will say that it might take a little bit of practice to master, but once you've got it, you've got it. To get a close-up of each step, simply click on the thumbnail image.
Step 1: Lay your ribbon out so that the ends are going east-west. In this picture, I'm tying a ribbon around a tin's lid.
Step 2:
Begin as though you were tying your shoe. I take the end from the left and put it over the right, so that it ends up pointing north before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Just as when you tie your shoe, bring that end that was pointing north underneath the other end and pull tight. Your ends should be pointing north and south (slightly south-west). Keep the ribbon as flat as possible.
Step 4: Put your middle or index finger on the half-knot in the middle to hold it tight.
Step 5: Bring the end that's pointing north over to the knuckle of your index finger and hold it there with your thumb, making sure it's "loopy". You'll be passing another end through the loop, so the loop is very important. At this point, only your right hand should be involved.
Step 6: Bring the south-pointing end up over the loopy end.
Step 7: Now bring that underneath, so it passes through the loop. Be careful not to twist either end. This is one of the keys to getting a beautiful knot.
Step 8: The other key is to pull both ends gently, pulling a little more on the right end than on the left. You'll see the ugly part of the knot disappear if you are pulling correctly to the right.
Remember, practice makes perfect. I must admit that the first time my friend Sue (who works for high-end card/stationery manufacturer William Arthur...they do things with the Vera Bradley name, by the way, that's how she learned it) taught me this knot, I couldn't get it. And she was showing me in person! I decided I couldn't do it and forgot about it for months. Then I tried it again and it was soooo simple. I hope it's so simple for you the first time you try!
