Page 7 - Eric C. Fry - Knots and Ropework

Introduction

We are naturally gratified that the success of our two Shell Books of Knots and
Ropework and Practical and Decofative Ropework has been such that this
combined volume is called for. A few basic knots were necessarily duplicated in
the separate books and these duplications have of course been removed.
Otherwise text and photographs afe unchanged. Unlike boat design, there have
been no sensational developments in ropework but presentation can be
improved and our style. seems to be popular.
Part One comprises the basic knots and splices with a few of the decorative
type thrown in for good measure. Part Two is devoted principally to the
decorative work practised by the old sailing -ship seamen whose craftsmanship
approached art. Certainly it is on the level of macrame. Much of it is indeed
macrame.

The difficulty of teaching knotting without the pupil viewing the work
'backwards' or the tutor becoming a contortionist is obvious and many books
have been produced illustrating the art with sketches, diagrams and written
instructions which can be equally confu sing.
This book invites the pupil to learn from that which he sees, regarding the
hands as his, or her, own as the case may be.

In fact there are very few true knots, only four according to some schools of
thought, the great majority of so called knots being either bends or hitches.
Nevertheless all are formed from a series of bights and tucks in association with
the all-important twisting of the rope to maintai n the lay and ensure no
unwanted turns in unexpected places.

'To go against the grain' is essentially a carpenters' expression, subsequently
associated w ith human nature. So it is with rope. Although rope does not have
a grain, it most certainly has its equivalent in its lay, which if mishandled will
become more cantankerous than any grain - timber or human, Some
understanding of this lay - this life which is born into every rope. during its
manufacture in the rope-walk is necessary.

With the exception of braided, or plaited rope, all ropes consist of fibres, yarns
and strands. During manufacture, fibres are twisted to form yarns, yarns twisted
to form strands; and strands twisted to form the finished rope, the whole
operation being carried out simultaneously and progressively, under tension.
It is therefore in the nature of the rope to permit itself to be further twisted in
the direction in which it was made, but to rebel against being twisted in the
opposite direction, ie against its lay,