Page 386 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

380 the ultimate book of decorative knots

Method: Find the centre of your rope and mark
approximately 5 cm to 8 cm to each side of centre
with tape or a pen mark, this being the 10-cm to
16-cm part in the middle where your dog will hold
the toy in its mouth. Tie a firm Constrictor Knot at
each of these two marked points with fine twine,
to prevent the rope from unravelling. Use a piece
of masking tape to wrap each end of each strand
The finished cuff links in polyester cord of blue (six wraps in all) and then unlay the strands from
with a red fleck. the rope back to where the Constrictor Knots are.
Make at each end a Manrope Knot, using the three
piece of cotton thread for this size of line, because strands, remembering to wall, crown, wall, crown.
it will be easier to cut when finished and will hold Tuck the ends firmly down beneath the knot and cut
well if you wrap the cord a couple of times before off after passing beneath the knot.
beginning. Hot-cut the ends so that all three pieces When making the Manrope Knot you will be the
have two ends sealed. Work with one end at a time. best judge of how firmly you need to ‘set’ the knot in
Tie the Manrope or chosen knot at one end and be place after the initial tightening. If you use the toy as
sure to pull the parts tight after tucking down for a fetch toy, this need not be that firm. If you use the
the last time. To make sure, go over all the parts with toy as a tug toy, the knot should be firmly tightened.
a pricker or a fine fid to ensure even tension on all If the toy is to be a chew toy, you should make the
parts and a very tight knot. The knots will be subject Manrope Knot the very firmest of all, tightening it
to some tugging when putting them in place! Finish up to leave no ends or snags available for chewing
the centre three cords with an overwrap of French on. To make the knot as firm as possible, leave a
Hitching, using polyester sewing twine. longer tail on each strand (about 16 cm longer each
end, meaning your original piece should be 30 cm
Dog Chew Toy in length) and leave loops out of the knot during the
Strictly speaking, dogs should not chew on ropes, making, and use the excess length of the loops as a
but this one is made from cotton horse rope and will lever to pull the knot as tight as possible.
produce hours or even a few days of fun for your
dog, some healthy exercise in running to fetch and is Mother’s Day Gift
readily replaced by you, using your favourite hobby, Mother’s Day gifts from children are usually either
at minimal cost. Do not allow your dog to swallow shop-bought or, as in my case when younger,
the pieces chewed off – clear them up or cut them homemade. Think how special Mum will feel with
away as soon as they become free! I have known this bracelet that you make especially for her! It
some of these knots to last two or three months should take about an hour or so of your time to
with a light chewer or only a few days with a very make and may be put down and picked up again
active chewer who gnaws on it day and night. Dogs without losing your place.
do become very attached to them so be prepared to
replace it frequently. Line: I chose hemp, but choose one that
your mum likes
Line: 24 mm diameter three-strand Size: The length is noted below (about
cotton rope twice as long as the size around her
Size: Length should be about 45 cm wrist).
overall before tying, Time: Should not take you more than 1
Time: 0.5 hours hour