Page 65 - Merry Barbara "Marlinspike Sailor's Arts and Crafts"

58 < Marlinspike Sailor’s Knots and Crafts

2 > Loop the twine around the handle as shown in the
diagram, creating a straight “spine” of knots on
the outside of the handle, alternating the direction
left to right, then right to left, flipping the tool as
described in the knife handle directions on page 61.
3 > When you reach the end of the handle, just cut off
the twine, leaving a 4- to 5-inch tail.
4 > At the top and the bottom of the handle, use twine
to create a Turk’s Head knot that overlaps the end
of the ring bolt hitches. Each Turk’s Head knot uses
2 feet 10 inches of twine. To get the Turk’s Head
knot into the round shape to use at the end of the
hitching, tie the knot on the flat (see Chapter 1).
Then as you draw the knot up, form it around a
wooden spoon handle or a fat marking pen at its
center.
5 > Repeat the ring bolt hitching and Turk’s Head knots
on the other handle of the pliers.

A dowel with ring bolt hitching on it.

Tool Grips

Pliers with Ring Bolt Hitching

3 feet of #36 cotton seine twine used to create the
grips
3 feet of #36 cotton seine twine used to create the
decorative Turk’s Head knots
sharp knife or scissors
shellac with brush
ruler

To create the ring bolt hitching, follow these steps:
1
1 > Cut 1 ⁄2 feet of #36 cotton seine twine. Tie one end
of the twine tightly around the top of one handle Ring bolt hitching in progress, with a Turk’s Head knot
of the pliers. tied at the bottom.