Page 230 - The Ashley Book of Knots

BINDING KNOTS

the practice was given up and paper bags substituted as they were

found to be simpler.

1207. The THIEF or BAG KNOT is also called BREAD BAG KNOT. It

appears very like the REEF KNOT, but there is one real and scarcely

12.1&

evident difference. It does not consist of two HALF KNOTS. There is

a legend that sailors tie clothesbags, and bread bags with this knot

and that thieves always retie them with REEF KNOTS and so are

inevitably detected. It is a pleasing story that should encourage

honesty. However, if I have ever met this knot in practical use, I

have neither recognized it nor paid penalty for my failure to do so.

1208. The WHATNOT. This is the same knot formation as the

GRANNY KNOT, but the ends are diagonally opposite each other. It

is hardly a practical knot. But with the ends seized it is called the

REEVING LINE BEND (~1459), and it also serves as an interesting trick Ull

(~2579)·

1209. The LIGATURE KNOT is commonly called by laymen the

SURGEON'S KNOT. But surgeons do not speak of the "SURGEON'S KNOT"

any more than a sailor would speak of a "SAILOR'S KNOT."

1210. A knot that is used by shoemakers, harness makers and sail-

makers for tying up parcels. The thread is led twice around the

parcel. A HALF KNOT is tied in which one end is led under both parts

before the final HALF KNOT is added.

1211. The HALF or SINGLE BOWKNOT, called, in Emerson's Dic-

tionaryof '794, DRAWKNOT. It is called the SLIPPED REEF KNOT by 1'l.18

yachtsmen and small boatmen. It is much used in parcel tying.

1212. The BOWKNOT or DOUBLE BOWKNOT is closely related to the

REEF KKOT, the difference being in the second HALF KNOT, which is

tied with two bights instead of two ends. It is often tied in ribbons

and tape. Its practical importance lies in the ease with which it may

be untied, by pulling at one or both of the ends.

1213. vVith additional bows worked into circular form the Bmv-

KKOT is sometimes termed a ROSETTE or a ROSETTE KNOT.

1214. The BOWKNOT is the universal means of fastening shoe-

titrings together. I 2.1 9

1215. The SHOE CLERK'S KNOT is the BOWKNOT with the addition

;)f an opposing HALF KNOT tied in the two loops.

1216. This pictures the DOUBLE SHOESTRING KNOT as tied by Mrs. B

Charles S. Knowles. After a BOWKNOT has been loosely tied, the

A

right forefinger, or the right middle finger, pushes the left loop

through the knot a second time, from the back forward as shov>'O by

the arrow in the left drawing.

1217. A SQUARE SHOESTRING KNOT is tied with two bights. This

holds well and is untied by spilling in the manner described for the l~l.O

REEF Kl\oT (~1206).

1218. A SQUARE KNOT for shoestrings is tied with one end and

one bight. B

1219. The DOUBLE SLIP KNOT is also applied to shoestrings. Each

of the two loops in the second knot is tucked once after they have

been crossed, as in the left diagram.

1220. A SHOESTRING or PARCEL KNOT was shown to me by George

H. Taber. Tie a regular BOWKNOT and stick the right loop through

the left loop, then pull the left loop tight around the right loop.

1221. A SHOESTRING or PARCEL KNOT. Tie a SINGLE BOWKNOT, 1211

tuck a bight from the secure end, through the single loop, and draw

up the loop tightly around it. Spill the knot by pulling the two ends

one after the other.

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