Page 257 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

37-032-6-pp001-pp274.qxd 9/1/2010 2:49 PM Page 242

THE EVER YTHING KNOTS BOOK

With Safety in Mind
Sometimes it is difficult to simulate how the knot will be used.
Climbing knots should be learned well before trusting your weight
to them, so they must be practiced under supervision to make sure
they are done correctly. A student who is very confident about his
or her abilities will feel differently when about to suspend his or
her weight with them from a great height.

ESSENTIAL

Some knots that are relatively new to knotting are quite
astounding, and they need to be tinkered with to get a feel
for how they work. The Constrictor Knot has an amazing grip,
and it is instructive to try it with different ropes around
different objects. The Icicle Hitch has to be tried to be
believed, and should be tried around even slippery and
tapered objects to appreciate its hold.

Loads of Fun Activities

You can make learning knots interesting by associating the
process with a particular activity. If you’re teaching younger chil-
dren, this method will help hold their attention for a longer
period of time. Games, projects, and even competitions add spice
to learning knots. Girl and Boy Scout activities involve knotting
in a number of ways, and some examples are mentioned here.
When combined with activities, students can see the knots at
work and associate a particular performance with certain knots.
Scouts can take part in setting up camp, from rigging lines to keep
supplies away from raccoons to mounting tarps and tents. They can
see firsthand how the right application of a few knots can turn a
few coiled ropes into a base camp.
A fishing trip can begin with a lesson on fishing knots. Then,
tying the knots for actual fishing contributes to learning in a number
of ways. Repetition is very important for learning knots, and by having

242