Page 507 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

3021. ROUND SINNET requires an even number of strands. With

four strands it is identical with 'II: 2999, which is made by a quicker

and simpler method. Six is the preferred number of strands for

ROUND SINNET but it may also be made satisfactorily with eight

302\ strands if worked carefully. With more than eight strands, being

tubular, it is prone to distort and should have a core. Made with a

core, it is often termed COACHWHIPPING, although CoACHWHIPPING

proper is made with doubled or tripled strands ('II: 30 15) and, if made

on the tapering end of a rope, is called CROSS-POINTING.

To make a SIX-STRAND ROUND SINNET: Tie six strands together

and hold them in the left hand with three alternate strands extended

over the back of the hand and the three lower strands held in the

grasp of the hand. Tie an OVERHAND KNOT in the end of each upper

strand to identify it. Take any upper knotted strand, lay it diagonally

down to the right, crossing the first lower strand, and place it in the

grasp of the hand. Extend the lower strand that has just been crossed,

pull on it firmly and lay it over the back of the hand. Turn the

whole sinnet in the hand, counterclockwise, a hundred and twenty

degrees (one third of the circuit), which brings the next pair of

strands to the front. Treat these in the same manner as the first pair.

Turn the structure again counterclockwise a hundred and twenty

degrees farther and do likewise with the third and remaining pair.

This completes one of the two cycles that are required to make the

•
smnet.

'Without changing the grip of the left hand, grasp with the right

hand the upper strand to the right. (The upper strands at this time

are the unknotted strands chat originally were in the lower position.)

Lead this strand down in a left diagonal, crossing the next lower

strand, and extend the strand just crossed. Count aloud as you cross

strands, one number for each crossing, "I, 2, 3," and at 3 it is time to

reverse the direction again. At the completion of one cycle the three

knots are aloft; at the completion of the next cycle the knots are

down. Continue to alternate the two sets of directions that have been

•
gIven.

The first two diagrams show the first two strands being exchanged.

The third diagram shows the beginning of the second interchange.

Diagram 4 shows the completed cycle, after all strands have been

interchanged, and also the beginning of the first reverse interchange.

Figure 5 shows the continuation of this interchange, and figure 6

shows the completed sinnet.

302.1 3022. Unless very firmly made, EIGHT-STRAND ROUND SINNET will

require a core. With more than eight strands a core is imperative

and the resultant sinnet is called CROSS-POINTING. CROSS-POINTING

is worked as ROUND SINNET, with any even number of strands.

If worked around a core with units of two or three strands instead

of single strands, this is generally called COACHWHIPPING. But almost

any sinnet worked around a core may be called COACHWHIPPING.

3023. In MULTI-STRAND CROSS-POINTING one end of the core should

be secured to some object aloft. For small sinnets a hook is conven-

ient as the length must be changed frequently. Have the hook at not

less than eye level. But the best way is to lead the core aloft through

'3022.