Page 139 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

As any number of strands may be tucked any number of times,

the number of knots of this kind is unlimited. SIX-, EIGHT-, TEN-

and (sometimes) TWELVE-STRAND FULL MATTHEW WALKERS are

seen on sailors' clothesbag lanyards, and NINE-STRAND FULL

MATTHEW WALKERS are found on cat-o'-nine-tails. But a MATTHEW

WALKER of over six strands tends to distort unless a core or heart

is employed, so anything over eight strands is very seldom seen, and

a knot with more tucks than strands is practically never seen, as such

a knot is difficult to work.

72-, 727. The STAR is a unique knot; it appears to have no near rela-

tives. Primarily, it is a LANYARD KNOT, but it is also tied as a BUTTON.

(See Chapter 9.) Ordinarily it is started by making round turns in

one strand after another, each turn being led around the end of the

previously worked strand. This makes the figure shown at the upper

right.

It may be found simpler to tie the first movement as follows:

Seize six strands together at the length required for the knot, using

one of these strands as a core. Turn the others down, and put on a

stop. Take anyone of the five and lead it to the right over the next

strand and tuck it back under the same strand to the left, laying the

end up at the top. Do likewise with each strand in turn, working

around the knot counterclockwise. Then draw out the ends to form

the figure shown in the upper right diagram.

Next, crown all five strands to the left, and follow this by tucking

each end back under its own part as shown in the third and fourth

diagrams. Continue to lay each end arallel to and inside of the

adjacent strand to the right, and tuck t e end down to the underside

of the knot.

Finally, lead each strand on the underside parallel to, and inside of,

the adjacent strand, and stick the end up to the top center. Lay up

the end as a five-strand rope around the core, or else make a SIX-

STRAND SINNET.

728. The common methods of tying the WALL and CROWN KNOI~

,

were given in Chapter 6. By adapting and applying the customary

method of tying the DIAMOND KNOT (~693) to the WALL and

CROWN KNOTS the close relationship between these knots becomes

at once evident.

To tie the CROWN by this method: Seize and open a three-strand

rope, and stop the strands a short distance above the seizing. Take

each end in turn, and tuck it downward, helicall ,to the right, under

the next adjacent strand. When all three are tuc ed cut the stopping,

728 draw up the ends, and it will be found that a CROWN KNOT has been

tied. By tucking each end under one more strand the CROWN is

doubled. .

729. The WALL KNOT by this method: Seize and open the end of

a three-strand rope. Turn down the strands, and stop them to the

stem of the knot. Take anyone strand and tuck it upward helically

to the right under the adjacent strand. Repeat with the rest of the

strands, each time moving the next strand to the right of the one last
729

moved. Draw up the knot, and it will prove to be a WALL, identical

with ~ 671 in the last chapter, which was tied by the usual method.

\ 730. The MATTHEW WALKER, or MATI'HEW WALKER'S KNOT as

)
it was first called, can also be tied in a similar way: Seize and stop

'730 the three strands as in the last knot, and tuck each strand once as

already directed. Then tuck each strand once more helicall to the

right In the same manner as before directed. This forms a ATTHEW

WALKER KNOT the same as ~682 in the last chapter, which was tied

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