Page 55 - Des Pawson "Des Pawson's Knot Craft" 2 edit.

KNOTCRAFT 2009:Layout 1 23/10/09 12:17 Page 54

Rope Handrails

N THE PAST, manropes were ropes rigged over the side of the
Iship to assist people getting on board. They could be quite
decorative items, one end pointed, and the other finishing in a
manrope knot, sometimes known as a ‘wall & crown’.
In today’s world, the manrope knot still makes the most
handsome of ends to a rope handrail, whether it is in the house
as a rope banister, on board ship by the companionway steps, or
the rope handrails on the gangway.
The strands of the rope making the knot are first covered in
canvas (although this is not essential if care is taken when tying
the knot). The rope itself could also be covered with canvas and
then wormed over the top and the whole thing may well have
been painted in a selection of colours, to bring out the pattern
of the knots. The addition of a leather star washer can also set
the knot off handsomely.
Should you want an end with a tassel, make a diamond knot
(a crown first followed by a wall knot, see
page 47) instead and tease out the yarns.
I like to make the rope handrail as tight as
possible, as it will soon stretch to give a little
sag. However, if you are using natural
material in an area where it is likely to get wet
and shrink, you must allow up to 10% for
shrinkage. Star Washer

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