Page 275 - Everything Knots Book : Step-By-Step Instructions for Tying Any Knot

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THE EVER YTHING KNOTS BOOK

structures and concepts is more important than numbers. And once
you start to learn variations of knots, you may not even be able to
count what you know.

Knot Discoveries
Using the techniques in this chapter, and even by accident, you
will tie many knots you have never seen before, and probably many
that have never appeared in publications. Knotting hobbyists have tied
thousands of variations of every category of knots, and some have
even published some of their efforts in booklets and journal articles.
Since there is no official registry for knots, official names
cannot be bestowed on a particular knot. If you have a great hitch
that you want to name after your dog, you are probably out of luck.
You can, however, join the International Guild of Knot Tyers, share
your explorations with other members at meetings, and even dis-
play them. There are many regional branches, and membership is
open to anyone interested in knots.

Testing Your Knot

After you learn a knot, you can test your skill with it. The most
important test with any knot is to use it in an application. There
are many ways that using it for a particular purpose can seem dif-
ferent than when you are practicing with it. By simulating condi-
tions that you may be under when you need to tie your knot, you
can test your abilities with it.
Clearly, knot tying is a journey you can take in any number of
directions. You can take guides with you, take directions of your
own, or both. Whoever said there was “nothing new under the
sun” has never played with string, and never caught the perfect fish
with a knot of his or her own design.

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