ICHTHUS BOOKMARK

"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.

For Christian Crafts Supplies and other resources,
visit our C-O-O-L Mall at the links below: