Page 21 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

MATErIALs, METHods, MEAsUrEMEnTs, And TooLs 15

also (not so good in mats, however!), and in
cord form can add bright hues to a favourite
dress, jacket, hat, shirt, or fashion
accessory.

How does it work?
Natural cord, twine, rope, and line
is sold on spools or in balls of about
500g and upward. Hemp twine is also
sold in craft stores in small bundles of
20–80m for crafters to use in making
jewellery or beading work.

What works
Natural fibres are at their best when
their natural colour is used to enhance the
appearance of something like a wall-hanging, a
purse or shoulder bag, or even a jacket. I have seen
cover lines onboard old, square-rigged ships to natural fibres in many applications, some of the best
prevent chafe. When marline is twisted tightly being outdoors in sunny climates for path control,
around a piece of standing rigging (the shrouds indoors as a rope handrail, or as a decorative
and some stays that hold up the masts) it is called embellishment to a rail or a deck of a ship.
service. Tarred marline will sometimes release the
tar in which it has been dipped, so be careful when What doesn’t work
using it with other materials if you do not want them When natural fibres get wet they start to rot if
to be marked with tar. Tar marks may be removed not dried out effectively. They will also char and
with olive oil or canola oil or any other 100-percent burn if exposed to extremes of heat (more than
vegetable oil. about 200°C). For other care notes, see Line
These natural fibres are used frequently in (page 12–14).
decorative work. Polished hemp twine is particularly
sought after because it feels soft, wears well, and is METHODS
strong enough to resist normal wear and tear. Sisal The question I’m asked most often is ‘How can I
is quite coarse and may act roughly on skin, but it make these beautiful pieces?’ First-time or novice
looks effective when used in a natural setting such knotters will say, ‘I have never done it before,’ or,
as a swing set or in some location where it will be ‘You must have so much patience!’ when they see
set against bamboo or other natural materials. Sisal finished works by others. Each of us starts at the
is also extremely durable when used as a cat toy or exact same point – the point of being interested
as a covering for cats to clean their claws, instead in what you see and wanting to make something
of using your furniture! Coir is also very rough but like it for yourself. Experienced knotters are not
has the added benefit of being able to take rough blessed with any superhuman skills or abilities, we
treatment and so is used frequently for doormats simply apply ourselves for the time it takes for us
and other places where hard-wearing characteristics to get bored, tired, or annoyed with what we are
are needed. Henequen and seagrass are frequently doing and then we stop – just like everyone else! It is
used when making stools or seats – these very really not about patience, although having patience
good-looking fibres have great, hard-wearing does help. It is more a question of determination,
characteristics! Silk is well-known as hard-wearing doggedness, and whether you want an end result