This Ichthus Bookmark
pattern and tutorial website was inspired by
Proverbs 31:13, which is a Bible verse describing some
of the qualities of a Virtuous Woman.
"She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands."
Ichthus Bookmark

Ichthys (also Ichthus or
Ikhthus), from the Koine Greek word for fish:
ἰχθύς, (capitalized ΙΧΘΥΣ or
ΙΧΘΥϹ) is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the
ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so
as to resemble the profile of a fish, used by early
Christians as a secret Christian symbol and now known
colloquially as the "sign of the fish" or the "Jesus fish."
ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys) is an acronym for "Ίησοῦς
Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ", (Iēsous Christos, Theou
Yios, Sōtēr), which translates into English as "Jesus
Christ, God's Son, Savior".
- Iota (i) is the
first letter of Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς),
Greek for "Jesus".
- Chi (ch) is the
first letter of Christos (Χριστός),
Greek for "anointed".
- Theta (th) is the
first letter of Theou (Θεου),
Greek for "God's", the genitive case of
Θεóς, Theos, Greek for "God".
- Ypsilon (y)
is the first letter of (h)yios (Υἱός),
Greek for "Son".
- Sigma (s) is the
first letter of sōtēr (Σωτήρ),
Greek for "Savior".
This Ichthus Bookmark pattern can also be used as a
Christian Friendship Bracelet. It measures
approximately 6 inches long from knot to knot and
approximately 10 inches long with the tails.
Materials you will need:
Embroidery Floss - 4 colors
Safety Pin
Scissors
Note: Embroidery floss
comes in skeins with 6 individual strands of floss
twisted together. For this project the term
"strand" will refer to all six strands together as it
comes off the skein. Do not separate the
individual strands from one another.
The Ichthus bookmark is made with 8 strands of
embroidery floss. You'll use 2 strands each of 4
colors (A, B, C, D) arranged as follows: A1, B1, C1,
D1, D2, C2, B2, A2.
If each of
your strands is 1¼ yards or 45 inches long, you will
be able to make a bookmark with tassels on each end
that are 2 to 2½ inches long with 5 Ichthus in
between. Add 8 inches to each strand for each extra
Ichthus you may want to add to the length of your
Ichthus bookmark. A skein of embroidery floss
contains approximately 8½ yards, so one skein of
embroidery floss will be plenty for your Ichthus
bookmark.
To get an
idea of what your finished Ichthus bookmark will look
like, you may want to sketch a rough picture with
colored pencils, crayons or markers using the colors
you plan to use. The Ichthus will stand out most
if you use the lightest color as A1 and A2 and the
darkest color as D1 and D2.
Tie all strands together in a knot leaving a 2 to 2½ inch
tail. Secure to a surface (the arm of a
recliner for example) using a safety pin. Smooth
out the strands so they are in the right color order
(See Diagram a).
Step
1 - Diagram b
Left Side: With A1, work a double knot around B1, then around C1,
then around D1.
Right Side: With A2 work a double knot (R) around B2, then around
C2, then around D2. After that, with A1, work a double
knot around A2. The first "chevron" (V shape) is
completed. In the same way, make three more
chevrons:
One with B1 and B2
One with C1 and C2
One with D1 and D2
The last
chevron that you made with color D will form the tail
of the "Ichthus" or fish.
Step 2 -
Diagram c
Left Side: With A2, work a double knot then a double knot (R)
around B2.
Right Side: With A1, work a double knot (R) then a double knot
around B1.
Step 3 - Diagram d
Left Side: With D2, work a double knot
(R) around C2, then around B2 then around A2.
Right Side: With D1, work a double
knot around C1, then around B1 then around A1.
You have started the body of the ichthus.
Step 4 - Diagram e
With C2, work a double knot around C1.
Left Side: With C1, work a double knot
(R) around B2, then around A2.
Right Side: With C2, work a double knot
around B1, then around A1.
Step 5 - Diagram f
With B2,
work a double knot around B1.
Left Side: With B1, work a double knot
(R) around A2.
Right Side:
With B2, work a double knot around A1.
Step 6 - Diagram g
With A2, work a double knot around A1.Step 7 - Diagram h
Left Side: With B1, work a double knot
around A1.
Right Side:
With B2, work a double knot (R) around A2, then
around B1. After that, with C1, work a double
knot around B2.
Step 8 -
Diagram i
Left Side: With C1, work a double knot around A1, then around
B2.
Right Side:
With C2, work a double knot (R) around A2, then around
B1. After that, with C1, work a double knot
around C2.
Step 9 - Diagram j
Left Side: With D2, work a double knot
around A1, then around B2, then around C2.
Right Side: With D1, work a double
knot (R) around A2, then around B1 then around C1.
After that, with D2, work a double knot around D1.
Step 10 - Diagram k
One ichthus is completed. To continue the
ichthus bookmark, repeat the design, starting with
Step 1 until you have the length of bookmark you wish.
After the last ichthus, finish with three chevrons.Tie strands in a knot as in Diagram a. Trim
tail to same length as beginning tail.
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God Bless.