Page 403 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

2460. The CHINESE BUTTERFLY KNOT is the prototype of this

whole series. The knot, being tied in two planes, IS more difficult to

visualize than the SINGLE-PLANE KNOTS of the last chapter. It can be

diagrammed without too much difficulty and the crossings marked

with circles for each underpass. But I have found it simpler to repeat

to myself as I tie a knot of this sort, "Around, through; around,

through," and to take the crossings accordingly.

2460
Copy the diagram about two or three times the size of the original

on the page, and with the drawing alongside to check with. The knot

will not be found difficult, once the method has become familiar.

Insert pins along the outer edge, two for each rim bight and one for

each inside bight, making six pins to the side. In drawing up, prod

the knot constantly, and do not allow it to become distorted by un-

even pulling.

The loops around the edges may be drawn up snug or they may

be extended. On the next two pages the Chinese method of inter-

twining the loops is indicated. Wherever this intertwining occurs

the crossings are taken alternately over and under.

2461. A larger knot of the same description presents no new prob~

lem.

246\ If the top loop is cut to make separate ends at the top, the two

knots that have just been given will serve as TWO-CORD LANYARD

KNOTS.

2462. A PENTAGON is tied in the same way, but is perhaps more

difficult to tie regularly.

2463. This diagram, if tied and worked carefully and then prodded

into shape, will make either a SQUARE or a CIRCULAR KNOT.

2464. An assembled knot may be tied directly over a diagram. An-

2~62.. other way to tie knots consisting of a number of units, which are to

be combined into a single elaborate knot, is to tie each with a separate

cQrd. Assemble these units and pin them out on the board, cut the

loops and tie the ends together, so that the pattern ultimately con-

sists of a single connected, but knotted, cord.

This having been done, take a single cord long enough for the

whole pattern, and, using the knot already formed as a clue, double

it with the new cord. \Vhen complete remove the CLUE KNOT and

work the SINGLE-CORD KNOT snug. Very intricate patterns can be

formed in this way, but it is best to try assembling a few simple knots

24&3 first in order to become familiar with the method. On occasion it

will happen, in projecting such knots, that they cannot be tied with

a single cord.

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