Page 54 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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LEARNING TO TIE KNOTS

The first thing you may wonder about is how many knots you
will need to know or what is the smallest number that you can get
by on. The number is up to you and may vary depending on your
needs. Here is a possible progression you might consider: A loop
knot like the Bowline or Overhand Loop can serve a number of
different applications, and thus gets you the most mileage from a
single knot. Next you should consider learning other knots from
different categories, like bends, hitches, and binding knots, so that
you can apply them to many situations. It is better still to learn a
couple of knots from each category. You might try experimenting
with a number of knots within a given category, and settle on the
ones you want to remember and use.
Many knots are similar in structure, which means that the
more different kinds of knots you learn to make, the easier it’ll
be to add new knots to your stock. Because of this, you may
decide to choose knots from different categories that have similar
structure—you’ll be able to remember them more easily. For
example, the multiple overhand structure appears in many knots
throughout this book, and so do knots that make use of combi-
nations of Half Hitches.

ESSENTIAL

There is a lot of room in knot tying for personal preference.
You can decide to pay extra attention to knots that are
adjustable, knots that allow leverage, knots that untie very
easily after being under heavy strain, knots that are very
secure, or even knots that are decorative as well as functional.
Some people enjoy exploring and learning knots that exhibit
these or other particular properties.

Taking time to learn tips for learning knots, especially learning
the terminology, is key to success at learning new knots. Not only
does practice help in tying knots, but it helps in following diagrams

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