Page 291 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

1592. A CUBE-SHAPED SHROUD KNOT. Marry two ends of fOUl

strands each, seize stoutly at the point of crossing with a CON-

STRICfOR KNOT ('If I 249). Lay each set of strands a short distance

along the opposite structure and seize again (four or five times the

diameter of the rope apart). Roll a strip of white paper tightly

around the section between the seizings and paste down the end to

form a sleeve. This is merely to save confusion.

Helix the upper strands downward to the right, passing with each

end all the strands of the other set. Seize the four ends below the

paper sleeve and bring each of the lower strands forward between

two of the strands that have been seized together. Lead the lower set

in a left helix to the top, laying each strand between two strands of

the opposing set and parallel with them. Seize these strands at the

top just beyond the edge of the paper cylinder. The structure

should now resemble the second diagram.

Tuck each bottom end to the right under the first bigilt of the

opposing strands. Turn the structure upside down and tuck each of

the lower ends to the right under the first bight of the opposing

strands. Then tuck the second set only, once more over one and

under one.

Note that at this point with sister strands the over-and-under is

parallel, not contrary.

Next, without further tucking, arrange the opposing ends in the

center to lie alternately, exactly as in the fourth diagram. If it seems

impossible to arrange any two opposing strands in this way, try the

next strand of the opposing set instead, either the one to the right

or the one to the left of the one that proved bothersome.

Having arranged the strands as directed, tuck all ends one set at

a time over one and under one. One of the two sets will have to be

tucked a second time over one and under one, to bring all ends out

at the rim. This makes a regular basket-weave surface. The knot

must now be worked methodically and deliberately and prodded

constantly to make it assume its proper cubical shape. The end seiz-

ings and the paper sleeve are removed as the knot is drawn u .

(Scissors will be of assistance.) Only the original basic seizing is Ie t.

A similar knot of triangular cross section may be made with three-

I S"'J 3 strand rope, but it is not so satisfactory.

1593. A TWO-STRAND SHROUD KNOT. Wall the strands of the lower

end and insert the strands of the upper end as indicated by the ar-

rows in the second diagram. Work the knot a little more snugly

into shape and then tuck the ends as in the third diagram. This knot,

in common with many of the smaller knots of other series, is very

easily spilled until well drawn up. In knot tying, simple forms fre-

quently are more difficult to work than the more intricate ones.