Page 404 - The Ashley Book of Knots

FANCY KNOTS

2465. The CHINESE BUTTON KNOT was discussed at length in the

beginning of Chapter 5; here it forms the head of an interesting in- 2. 465"

sect. It may be found easier to tie the knot by the diagrams and di-

rections that were given on page 103.

2466. The TRUE-LoVER'S KNOT has already been dealt with in de-

tail on page 387 of this chapter. It seems to be universally known,

which can be explained by the fact that sailors, the world over, tie it.

But so far as I know the sailor ties it only as a trick knot (~2420).

It would seem that the Chinese people have found uses for knots in

home decoration beyond all other people.

2467. The DRAGON FLY is a quaint little insect made up very simply

from the two knots that were just shown.

2468. I found the CATERPILLAR KNOT in a Japanese knot book; it

is made of "square knotting," which is an Occidental form of knot-

ting to be discussed in the chapter to follow. In the next chapter also

are two Japanese lanyards which combine square knotting with

CHINESE PRIEST CORD KNOTS and also a SAILOR'S STOPPER KNOT, a

knot which I have never known to be tied, save on this lanyard, by

anyone except a sailor. The lanyard is shown on page 403.

The CATERP1LLAR KNOT consists of a series of alternating RIGHT 24&8

and LEFT HALF KNOTS, tied with the ends over a shon foundation

loop. In squm-e knotting these are called SOLOMON BARS. They are ex-

plained more fully in the next chapter.

2469. A BUTTERFLY KNOT. This is based on KNOT ~ 2460. It is

seldom in Chinese knotting that one of these knots is tied alone and

unsupported; usually they are tied in combination with other knots

and with additional flourishes of the marginal loops. All crossings

outside the central structure of the knot are in a single plane and

with regular over-one-and-under-one sequence. The diagram may

be reversed.

2470. The Japanelie specialize in parcel tying, and to this they

bring a great deal of ingenuity. Most of the basic knots, which are

quite simple, are borrowed from the Chinese. The Japanese contri-

bution is principally in the nature of arrangement. Many of these

knot forms are tied in cord consisting of a minute silk-covered copper

wire. Several pani-colored wires are led in parallel strands, and once

the knots are tied they are bent into leaf, flower and geometric forms.

The charm of these designs depends largely on the bent wire forms,

the knots being on the whole subordinate. There are several Japanese 2410

books devoted solely to the subject. The knots that are included

in the design given here are ~ 2 3 I I and ~ 2 391.

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