China
The Chinese developed a elaborated art of knotting which became popular in the Tang and Song Dynasty, however the concept of knotting as “button” did not appear until the Ming Dynasty, before that clothing were held together simply by tying up two strapes. Apart from knot buttons other type of buttons appears e.g. copper, silver, pearl, agate, etc., apart from being functional, they also became a status accessory. Knotting for buttons developed into several forms,some more elaborated than others, the knotting diagram shown above is for a basic design.
Mountain Folkcraft 
It’s complicated. Only the masters at mfc could do it.
Very nice image to explain knots, let me check the brown jacket
Your dad has more of these? I really like them, his sketches
stay tune in! :)