Page 150 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

144 THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF DECORATIVE KNOTS

Half HitcHing is no more complicated than any others here. As
Half Hitching is what we have been using to form a reminder that a Half Hitch and a marling hitch
the cockscombing, but it is not the only thing we are not the same structure, I have also included a
can make with Half Hitches. The following Half- series of marling hitches over a base rod for you to
Hitch patterns allow full coverage of a piece and compare visually, although the marling hitch really
are straightforward to make. Remember that Half has little decorative value because it lies too flat
Hitching is only secure when it is on the piece you when compared with the Half Hitch. Lastly, needle
are covering or is connected to another base cord hitching is mentioned in this section, and some
or to a prior Half Hitch – it has no intrinsic ability illustrative pieces are included for completeness.
to maintain shape or position otherwise. You may More information on needle hitching is given
want to attach some Half Hitches to clothing or elsewhere in this book. The ends of the Half-
to a flat surface. The normal way to do this is to Hitched pieces will likely require some kind of
sew or glue the Half Hitch in place, so that it is not covering, like a Turk’s Head or a Spanish Ring Knot.
snagged accidentally. The French Sinnet Single If you do not want to add such a covering, the ends
Strand shown here looks complicated when you may be scattered under the last few turns, as shown
first see it, but really, once it has been started, it near the end of the Half-Hitching section here.

single-strand french
sinnets
This form of chain sinnet is a little like the bo’sun
mentioned earlier, neither fish nor fowl and neither
wholly sinnet nor wholly Half Hitching. I have
included it here because it is a little light relief from
the endless pulling of a whole bundle or knittle of
twine each time a Half Hitch is made. Actual French
Sinnet is shown in the earlier chapter on sinnets,
hence also showing this one here, which vaguely
resembles the French Sinnet in appearance although – followed by a second loop, the same direction
certainly not in manufacture, it being made from (clockwise) as the first, but underhand this time.
but a single strand. It is also not normally a covering 2 lay it over the bottom part of the first loop…
knot, but is frequently used as a Bugler’s Braid.
When wound around or stitched to another object,
however, as a covering, it is a thing of beauty!

Single-Strand french Sinnet

3 – then cross the first loop by tucking the second

1 Make a single overhand clockwise loop… loop under and over as shown.