Page 35 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

124. When tucking a long cord, much twisting and kinking will

be avoided if, instead of tucking the end directly, a loop is first stuck,

and the long end pulled through after it.

125. After tying, but before working, an elaborate MULTI-

STRAND STOPPER or LANYARD KNOT, lay the ends up and stop them

together. This will insure against unreeving, and will keep the ends

of the completed knot well centered.

126. In tying any large knot, such as a TURK'S-HEAD or a MAT,

in which the lead is to be followed twice or more, middle your rope

and tie the knot with one half. Employ the other half later when

doubling or trebling the knot.

124 127. To correct an error after a knot or sinnet is tied, employ a

clue, preferably of a color and size different from the material of the

knot. A shoestring is excellent for the purpose. Starting at a point

beyond the error lay the clue in correctly, passing the error and con-

tinuing out to the end of the erring strand. Then remove the strand

that was in error, and at once lay it in again correctly, parallel to and

beside the clue. Finally remove the clue.

No amount of theoretical knowledge in any of the arts or handi-

crafts can compensate for the lack of practical experience.

A beginner should not be discouraged if he is not immediately suc-

cessful with a complicated knot. Usually the first few examples that

are given in each chapter are the simplest of their kind and are more

fully described than the others which follow. For that reason they

should be practiced first. A novice should avoid for a while anything

in the nature of a short cut. He will find that the professional usually

follows the charted course. If a failure is repeated, twist the diagram

on the table and tie the knot again from a new angle.

From time to time, among the illustrations, a symbol has been

placed to proclaim the merit or interest of a particular knot. It is

hoped that the meaning of these symbols will be at once apparent-

, 2.6 an anchor stands for security, a skull and crossbones implies the con-

trary, a star marks the best knot for a given purpose. These symbols

will be found on the opposite page.

It is an integral part of the scheme of this book to give the sources

of knots wherever possible. Various occupations are alphabetically

arranged in Cha ter 2, and their knots given. Among the practical

knots, where not ing else is indicated a nautical origin is presumptive.

Where the source is not made clear by the context, the practical

knots, which I have evolved independently, are frequently labeled

with the symbol of a spouting sperm whale. But this practice has not

been consistently adhered to, and I have made no particular effort

to mark my own contribution to decorative knots.

Certain chapters, such as those on the SINGLE-STRAND BUl"roN

(Chapter 5), MULTI-STRAND BUTTON, tied on the table (Chapter 10),

the SHROUD KNOT (Chapter 19), the MONKEY'S FIST (Chapter 29),

and the SOLID SINNETS (Chapter 39), are mostly or entirely original.

Other chapters, such as those on the TURK'S-HEAD (Chapter 17),

and the FLAT or Two-DIMENSIONAL KNOTS (Chapter 30), are the

'2.7

results of protracted research and experiment. They contain much

original matter, but there is no way to determine what ground had

previously been covered by others.