Page 374 - The Ashley Book of Knots

FLAT OR TWO-DIMENSIONAL KNOTS

2253. A knot of the BASKET WEAVE variety in which the propor-

tions are so wide that two diagonals are required to enlarge the knot.

Tie the basic knot, illustrated with doubled lines, by pinning it out on

the cork board. Lead each end parallel with its own standing part

for one diagonal (to the top), then cross the two ends and tuck

each end down to the corner betwoen two parallel parts and with the

opposite over-and-under. This adds two parts to the width of the

knot but only one part to the length. Repeat until the size wanted is

attained.

2254. A platted mat of fOUT lengthwise leads may be started with

an OVERHAND KNOT. As in ~2242 a knot is completed every time

the two ends are brought down to the corners. Two side parts are

added at each operation.

2255. In order to make all possible knots of this width, a second

start is necessary. Make a single round turn and plat as before. Two

side parts are added at each operation. With these two starts any

length is possible.

2256. To make a six-strand platted mat: First tie a knot as in the

.22S5
left diagram, which may be started as ~ 2 252. Extend the two lower

bights and proceed to plat all six as in FRENCH SINNET. A section of

this knot is similar to ~ 2 242 and ~ 2 243, but the rectangular top is

peculiar to the present series. Each time the two ends are brought

down to the corners three bights have been added to each side and

a knot is completed. Like KNOTS ~2242 and ~2243, a second start is

necessary to make all possible sizes of this knot.

2257. The second start is similar to KNOT ~ 2 255 but requires two

loops instead of one. Arrange the cord in two round turns over

three nails or hooks and have the ends slightly longer than the loops.

Counting each loop as two strands, these altogether make a total of

six strands. All six are platted to form the knot. But it may be found

easier to first cross the two loops in the manner illustrated in the 22S6

lower part of the right diagram of ~ 2256, and then to tuck the two

ends as illustrated by the arrows. This has already been illustrated

for KNOTS ~ 2 242 and ~ 2 243. The smallest knot by this method has

three side parts, which may be raised to six, nine, etc. The previous

knot starts with a completed knot of two side bights, which raises

to five, eight, etc. The two starts will make all possible knots of

this width and sort.

2258. While considering the possibilities of these knots it should

be noted that two strands only, platted alternately over one and

under one, is two-strand rope and is the basic form for all the plats

22..S.,

utilized on this page. This may also be considered the basic form

for the knot series, since knots similar to ~2254 and ~2255 can be

tied by adding upward diagonals with the two ends as suggested

by the arrows that are shown in the center diagram.