Page 392 - The Ashley Book of Knots

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CHAPTER 31: FANCY KNOTS

No one accustomed to mix with the higher classes of Society will be

at all inclined to dispute the advantages arising from a genteel ap-

pearance; it therefore becomes necessary that the means of acquir-

ing this distinction should be clearly demonstrated. An attentive

perusal of the following pages will conduce to this desired effect.

H. LE BLANC, EsQ.:

The Art of Tying the Cravat, Philadelphia, 1828

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Most decorative knots, no matter what utilitarian purposes they

serve, are termed by the sailor "fancy knots," provided they are

sufficiently ornamental. BUTTON, LANYARD, MASTHEAD, SHEEPSHANK

and SHROUD KNOTS, MONKEY'S FISTS and TURK'S-HEADS, as well as

mats and sinnets, are all in this category. But in this volume those

that have been named are discussed in separate chapters; conse-

quently the present chapter is limited to knots that have so far been

unlisted. -.. ..- ..,
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It happens that most of those that remain are BOWKNOTS or knots -- .

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having marginal loops. • •

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Of these the TRUE-LoVER'S, LOVE or TRUE LOVE KNOT constitutes

the largest single group. The name being a very popular one, there

are many knots that bear it. The oldest description that I find of the

TRUE-LoVER'S KNOT says: "A sort of double knot with two bows."

This is so broad that almost any of the knots bearing the name can

be made to fit it. Webster labels both the ortlinary BOWKNOT and

the CARRICK BEND, "TRUE LOVE KNOTS." There is just one point on

which most authorities agree. This is that the TRUE-LoVER'S KNOT

consists of two intertwined OVERHAND KNOTS that are brought to-

gether in such a manner as to form a charming and symmetrical

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UnIt.

The conscious romanticism that has fixed this name upon two

quite common lace forms which, when drawn together, make a

single beautifu and harmonious knot, should leave no doubt in the