Rosary Slack
If you've spent some time with your rosary, you may have noticed that one or two of the decades have a little more give in them than the rest. That's not a flaw - it's how these rosaries are built. A few of the knots on every metal Sanctus Servo rosary are slipknots, tied that way on purpose. Here's why, and how to adjust the slack yourself if you'd like to.
Why Some Decades Have More Slack
Every metal beaded rosary we make is hand-tied with 275 paracord. At the centerpiece medal, three separate cords come together and are tied off with slipknots: one for the strand leading down to your crucifix, and one on each side connecting into your First and Fifth decades.
A slipknot is different from a fixed knot - it can slide. That means the size of the loop it forms, and the amount of slack in the cord right next to it, can shift. Because of this, the First and Fifth decades (the two that meet the centerpiece directly) are the ones most likely to show a bit more slack than the three decades in between.
How to Adjust the Slack Yourself
Because these are true slipknots, you're not stuck with the amount of slack your rosary arrived with.
- Want less slack? Gently pull the short working end of cord near the knot. This draws the slipknot down and takes up the extra room.
- Want more slack? Gently pull on the loop side of the knot instead, just above where it's tied, to loosen it and feed a little more cord through.
Small, gentle tugs are all it takes. Paracord is forgiving, and a slipknot is meant to be adjusted by hand.
Pocket Rosaries Work a Little Differently
Our single-decade pocket rosaries (about 8 to 9.5 inches) use a slipknot too - right at the top, where the loop meets your devotional medal. Since the entire decade runs through that one loop, adjusting that single slipknot is the easiest way to add or take away slack anywhere along the decade.
That loop also makes your pocket rosary handy for more than just your pocket. Snug it down and you can loop it onto a backpack zipper, clip it somewhere you'll see it throughout the day, or even wear it on your wrist in a pinch - though if you'd like something made to be worn every day, our rosary bracelets are built specifically for that. Some people also tuck the crucifix into the loop itself before snugging it down, so the whole rosary stays gathered together while it's clipped on.
Why We Ship Every Rosary a Little Snug
Every rosary that leaves our house ships with its knots tied fairly snug, with only a small amount of slack built into each decade. We do this on purpose. Paracord makes it simple to fine-tune a slipknot by hand in either direction, so however you'd like your rosary to feel - a little snugger, or a little looser with more slack - that adjustment is quick and easy to make yourself.
Common Questions
Is it normal for some decades to have more slack than others?
Yes. This is expected on every metal rosary we make, and it comes from the slipknots at the centerpiece. It isn't a defect. Perhaps it got jostled in shipping or settled a bit over time. Either way, it's easy to adjust yourself back to the way you like it!
Will adjusting the slack damage my rosary?
No. Slipknots are designed to be handled. Gentle adjustments by hand won't harm your rosary or its knots.
Can I add slack to my decades after my rosary arrives?
Yes - in fact, we ship every rosary with the decades a little on the snug side for exactly this reason. A gentle but firm pull on the knot is usually all it takes. Doing so tightens the knot and add more slack to the decades. Please note that is is very difficult to undo that, however, which is why we make them the way we do!
Can I attach my pocket rosary to something besides my pocket?
Yes. The loop at the top can be snugged down around a zipper, strap, or clipped anywhere you'd like it close by. If you want something made to be worn every day, our rosary bracelets are made for that.
What if I'm not comfortable adjusting the knots myself?
No problem at all - reach out to us and we're happy to walk you through it.
However snug or loose you set it, what matters most is what comes next: praying it, decade by decade, day after day.
Want to see how our rosaries hold up after years of that kind of daily use? Take a look at how our rosaries age over time.