Page 53 - Merry Barbara "Marlinspike Sailor's Knots and Crafts"

46 < Marlinspike Sailor’s Knots and Crafts
A comb hanger is a bit unusual, but you could also make this a jewelry or tie
holder by tying a few thin dowels crosswise to the bottom section for hanging
earrings, necklaces, or neckties.
Cotton Rope
Comb Hanger
or Jewelry Rack
16 feet of ¼-inch cotton rope
10 feet of #30 cotton seine twine
sharp knife or scissors
ruler
I chose this project to complement
the mirror. You’ll need 16 feet of
¼-inch rope and 10 feet of small
stuff (#30 twine) to serve as a
seizing for the tassels.
Comb hangers are unique and
interesting items. They were tied
on whaling ships as gifts for the
sailor’s mother, sweetheart, or wife.
The ladies would tuck their combs
in the long strands. Now, these
were not the combs of today—the
combs I’m referring to were ornate
and highly decorated. These pieces
of art were worn in the hair all day
as part of the style of dress.
Follow these steps to make a
comb hanger:
4 > Lash (or whip) each length to
the four ends that exit the car-
rick bend using the #30 cotton
seine twine.
5 > Unlay the lengths below the
lashings so the comb can get a
good grip on them.
Water Bottle Carrier
standard water bottle, roughly
8 to 9 inches tall and 3 inches
in diameter
45 feet of #60 cotton seine twine
sharp knife or scissors
ruler
masking tape
Here’s a fun and practical project
—a holder for your water bottle.
To make the base of the carrier,
follow these steps:
1 > Make a circle of twine about
1> Middle (fold in half) two pieces the size of a quarter and about
of ¼-inch cotton rope 4 feet 1 ⁄2 inches wide.
1
long. 2 > Tie the circle with a fisher-
2 > Tie a single carrick bend with man’s knot/true lover’s knot
the strands (see photograph). (see steps 1 through 4 in the
3 > Take the remaining 8 feet and diagram). The advantage to
cut it into 2-foot lengths. this knot is that once it is tied
The carrick bend used to make the comb hanger.