Page 293 - Geoffrey Budworth "The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots"

TURK’S HEAD (3 lead x 4 bight)

Purpose

This is a practical and ornamental binding knot.

Tying #1
To make it flat, tie a modified carrick bend (previous page), with both ends

emerging on the same side of the knot (figures 1–2). Tuck the working end
alongside the standing part (figure 3). The knot that has been created has two

distinct features—three plaited parts (known as leads) and four rim-parts (called
bights)— which distinguish it from any other Turk’s heads. These are

abbreviated to 3L x 4B. Follow the original lead around—going over where it
goes over, under where it goes under—until the knot has been doubled (figure 4)

or tripled.

Tying #2
While the 3L x 4B Turk’s head tied above may be slipped over the end of a

finger, or other foundation, and so turned into a plaited ring or bracelet, it is
better to tie it directly. Wrap and turn and weave as shown (figures 5–8). Double

and triple the lead to complete the knot (figure 9). In a three-ply knot, by
inserting a second cord (of a contrasting hue), an even more decorative

appearance can be achieved. Pull it tight patiently, a bit at a time, working from
one end of the cord to the other several times.

Knot lore

The 3L x 4B Turk’s head in its flattened form is the motif of the International
Guild of Knot Tyers, adopted in 1982 and still in use, to indicate their