Page 253 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEy BOOK OF KNOTS

"Cross-Section" Paper Method

1364. In tying large knots by any direct method, lines of some

sort are wanted for guidance.

One effective way in which to tie a regular TURK's-HEAD is to

follow the guidelines on a sheet of cross-section paper which has

been wrapped diagonally around a cylmder. If the scale is small,

use only every second or every third line. The sole drawback to this

method is the difficulty of making the two edges of the diagram co-

incide when brought together arouad the cylinder. It is rarely that

a wooden cylinder or a mailing tube of precisely the right size is

at hand.

1365. If the cylinder is a little too small, bind heavy paper tightly

around it to bring it to the right size. If a wooden cylinder is too

large, it may be planed down. If nothing is at hand approximating

the required size, I have found it very convenient to begin by past-

• ing the edges of the cross-section paper accurately together with-

It
out support. After this make a tight roll of a number of thicknesses

of heavy wrapping paper, slip the roll inside the cross-section paper

cylinder and twist the inner roll open until it fits the cross-section

paper snugly. Stick two cork stoppers tightly into the ends of the

roll (which should be the width of the diagram). Finally stick tacks

through the pa er into the corks at every dotted bight of the dia-

gram or, if pre erred, at every crossing.

1366. If no cross-section paper is handy, wrap a blank sheet of

paper around a mailing tube of any size and snap two elastic bands

around it. Using the elastic bands as guides, draw two circles about

the barrel to represent the rims of the knot and make an even ro\\>

of dots around each line to indicate where the pins are to be. (An

Mail in easy way to space these dots equally is given on page 256 of this

E~a,$t. chapter.) Remove the paper and draw a diagonal line in a 45-degref

angle, away from you, from a left dot to a right one. In the same

'366 manner draw the other diagonals parallel with this one. Then stan

at any right point and make a left diagonal away from you to a left

point, crossing a number of lines tbat is one less than the required

number of leads. Draw other diagonals parallel with this one until the

knot is complete. Replace the diagram, drive tacks and tie the knot.

1367. To make a large knot around a rope, wind several thick-

nesses of heavy paper around the rope with a diagram on the out-

side. Stick heavy pins through the paper, well into the rope. Stretch

the rope between two belaying pins or other supports several feet

apart. This will allow the rope to be twisted sufficiently so that

every side of the knot may be worked with ease.

To tie a knot by this method: Secure an end of cord by thrusting

it through the lay of the rope, to one side of the knot, and, starting

at a left pin, lay it along the line of the diagram, rounding each pin

as it is reached and tucking as already directed.

1'368 1368. If a knot is to be tied around a metal stanchion or rail, build

up a shallO\v collar at either rim with a dozen or so turns of adhesive

tape, and insert pins or brads between the layers of tape, as illus-

I' I
)(1'''' ",I trated. After the knot is made and the pins are pulled out, the knot

I I I may be slipped to one side, the tape removed and the knot doubled

.
Metal Rail or tripled. If the tape is put over a paper sleeve, the TURK.'s-HEAD

.. dhe.ti~ T .. 1D. can be turned around the cylinder while being made, which is very

helpful if the cylinder is fixed.