Page 149 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

There are two general ways of "building u . " or increaiiing the size

of a BASKET WEAVE KNOT. The number 0 diagonals may be in-

creased by reeving the ends, which enlarges the knot in both di-

mensions, or the cord ends and the intervening loops of one side may

be extended and platted together, which lengthens the knot only.

, Any BASKET WEAVE KNOT of two strands may be tied in a lanyard,

h "176 but the BOSUN'S KNOTS have the ends of a single strand at two cor-

ners of the same side of the knot. So in order for the strand to pro-

gress from one knot to the next, that side must lie in the same

direction as the lanyard itself. The number of crossings along the

side will always be even. A corner crossing is counted in the census

of both top and side.

Any (A -+- 2 = B) KNOT (with two more or two less crossings on

one side than on the adjoining side) can be tied, in which the number

of crossings of each side is odd; and as the cord in such a knot pro-
777

gresses diagonally from corner to corner, a knot may be tied either

vertically or horizontall to form either a lanyard, a net, or a fringe.

Although BASKET EAVE KNOTS are distinctive and handsome,

they have one characteristic that at times is a drawback. Being tied

'18 in one plane, they are as thin as potato chips and have the same

tendency to curl and twist. To overcome this tendency I have ex-

perimerited with similar knots in two planes, several of which will

be given at the end of this chapter. Among these are included two

knots of similar characteristics which require four cords.

But before proceeding with BASKET WEAVE KNOTS we will first

discuss TWO-STRAND LANYARD KNOTS having other characteristics.

TWO-CORD LANYARD KNOTS are often tied decoratively in black

silk cords. These are, or were, worn on spectacles, monocles, lor-

gnettes, watch chains, and uards, belts, necklaces, and hat cords.

Sailors use them tied in arger material, on knife, marlingspike,

whistle, and pipe lanyards.

.,.., C! 775. The TWO-STRAND WALL KNOT may be tied by the com-

mon sailor's method shown here, or by the method shown as '#729,

7eO in the preceding chapter.

776. A TWO-STRAND MATTHEW WALKER KNOT that was also tied

in the same way as #730 in the last chapter. This knot, besides making

- a decorative LANYARD KNOT, is a practical jug or jar sling. The neck of

a jar or bottle is gripped in the center of the knot.

777. By tucking each strand in turn, a number of times, the Two-

J STRAND MATTHEW WALKER KNOT can be lengthened, in the same

I mannel"'that the MULTI-STIMND KNOT was lengthened in the preced-
.. "" 1& r

ing chapter.

778. A TWO-STRAND STOPPER KNOT is made by tucking the ends

of a WALL KNOT beyond an additional standing part, and then stick-

ing them up through the center. This gives four rim parts as against

the two of the WALL KNOT.

779. A DOUBLE WALL KNOT of two strands, with the lead fol-

lowed above, is quite different in character from the MULTI-STRAND

KNOT. First tie the wall as in '# 77 5, then hold the knot vertically

and tuck the ends as shown by arrows in the two diagrams.

780. A DOUBLE WALL KNOT, with the lead followed below the

first wall, closely resembles the MULTI-STRAND WALL KNOT.

7&~

• 781. The TWO-STRAND DIAMOND KNOT is tied the same way as

the MULTI-STRAND KNOT. One working end is led to the right over

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