Page 365 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

books give specific sets of instructions for enlarg- 3. Keep the working end either “ahead of” or
ing specific starts. This works fine unless they don’t “behind” (that is, to one side or the other of)
describe the one you want to enlarge, or unless you the previously established lead. Which one you
mislay the book. But there is a lead-splitting proce- do depends on the structure of the particular
dure applicable to any start. To build up any Turk’s knot and is determined when you begin to split
Head to a larger size: the lead.
For an example, return to the 4L 5 3B knot (Fig-
1. Weave the working end parallel to the ure 10-23). If you trace backward from the work-
previously established lead, but in an opposite ing end one full circuit, you will have traced the
over-and-under sequence. previously established lead—the last circuit made
(shaded line). To split the lead we’ll orient to the cir-
2. Weave parallel to the original lead, with the cuit, going under where it goes over, and vice versa.
same over-and-under sequence. You’ll find that the lead will go under or over two

Chinese Good Luck Knot

I have a friend named Joseph Roberts, whose work If that is so, then this particular knot has earned
as a geologist has taken him into the outback, its preeminence as a Good Luck Knot, for it combines
upland, and darkest depths of every continent. an elegant tying procedure, graceful proportions,
Wherever he has gone, he has gained immediate some utility (it’s very secure, but will jam), and a
entree to local society by the simple act of approach- vivid picture of the nature of Good Luck. You’ll find
ing the village shaman or equivalent and asking to front and back views of this knot on this book’s fron-
learn how to tie a knot that brings good luck. And tispiece and endpiece. One side forms a cross, which
there always is such a knot, and Joseph always even in pre-Christian China represented Heaven:
picks up another for his collection, and he is always linear, yang, to the point. The other side is a square,
warmly received because he’s asking for something ancient symbol of Earth: great, broad, enduring. It
simple and nice instead of the shaman’s usual diet is in the harmonious interplay of these two profound
of requests for love potions, curses on enemies, and ideas that good luck arises.
relief from colds. The caption instructions are for a Loop Knot, but
It turns out that just about every basic knot, and the Good Luck Knot can also be made as a bend:
quite a few complex ones, are considered good luck Make the round turn with one piece, then weave back
by someone, somewhere. Only the Granny and the and forth with the other piece, under and over, turn,
Hanging Noose stand out as ligaturistically malev- under and under, turn, over and under. Draw up.
olent. It might be argued that most knots are meta- This bend makes a very handsome knot for a scarf.
phors for luck; that every time you tie a Bowline, or a It is said that the veterans of Trafalgar tied their
Butterfly, or a splice, you are engaging in a ritual that kerchiefs with it, to let everyone know that they had
speaks to connection, unity, trust. been there.

1 2 3

(1) Make a round turn on your hand. Then pick up and form it into a loop on the palm, with the end under
its own part and on top of the standing part. (2) Lead the end back under both parts on your palm. Then reverse
direction again and lead it over its own part and under the standing part. Remove your hand and draw up
carefully, working the square down smaller and smaller (3).

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