Page 278 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

10 knob knots

Of the many forms of decorative knot, the Knob some relatively simple globe knots, such as the
Knot may be one of those most feared yet most Monkey Fist and the Double Monkey Fist, so that
revered by knot-tyers. This form of knot is an excel- you can learn how Globe Knots cover things that
lent introduction to thinking in three dimensions. are spherical instead of cylindrical or flat. Then we
Many find doing so maddening. Because of this they cover things that are at the end of a piece of plain
revert to recipes and two-dimen sional plots instead, or decorative rope, like a tassel, or round-raised
just so that they can start and finish their knot. lumps on leather work for horse tack. Find a ball or
There is, of course, nothing wrong with a little help spherical end like the knob on your gear shifter and
from wherever one can get it. you will be able to cover it.
Why would you want to make a Knob Knot?
There are some obvious applications; a finial on MONKEY FIST
a decorative lamp, a decanter stopper, the handle
of a tool, perhaps a readily found knob for your single Monkey Fist
keychain, or just a chew toy for your dog or perhaps This rather ubiquitous knob knot is also used today
a chase toy for your cat. You also may come up with as a decoration, although it was originally a fully
some different applications, such as covering your functional knot. It is named in part because it looks
cuff-link ends, the end of your favourite pencil, like a small, closed fist, with cords for fingers. How-
a stir-stick for your favourite cocktail glass, the ever, ‘monkey’ was also a slang term used aboard
end of your hiking staff, or the brass knobs on the sailing ships to refer to something diminutive
end of your bed frame. This chapter starts with (e.g., monkey jacket, monkey engine, monkey