The UlTimaTe Book of DECORATIVE K NOTS Lindsey PhiLPott contents Acknowledgments iv Preface v 1 Getting started 1 2 Materials, Methods, Measurements, and tools 7 3 Flat Knots 25 4 Braids and Plaits 52 5 sinnets 85 6 covering Knots 130 7 Purely decorative Knots 156 8 netting and Woven Knots 201 9 turk’s head Knots 211 10 Knob Knots 272 11 ornamental Knots 314 12 Projects 377 Glossary 384 Bibliography 388 Index 392 iv ThE ulTImATE bOOK Of DECORATIVE KNOTS acKnoWLedGMents The author sincerely thanks his fellow knot-tyers for farther, and may even be able to contribute by having shared their knowledge and skills so freely. deriving a simpler tying method, perhaps a new Whether they are members of the International knot, or even make some meaningful contribution Guild of Knot Tyers, KnotHeads Worldwide, or to the store of knot knowledge. simply the folks who stop by any of the demon stra- Among the names of people whom I wish to tions and displays in which I have taken part, their thank on this page, if I have not already done so knowledge has been invaluable in providing pointers many times in person, are Brian Field, Harold Scott, and answers to the questions that plague each of us Georg Schaake, Gary Sessions, and Bud Brewer, all when making a knot for the first time. Without the of whom have now passed away – thank you all for available knowledge of those who have gone before, your great contributions to an ongoing craft that is each of us would be forced to start from scratch and still alive and well, thanks to your efforts. Finally, would undoubtedly find the process less inventive and with the hope that she will forgive my putting and more a simple search for whatever truths knot- her name last and by no means least on these tying brings – it has charms to soothe the savage pages, my wife, Kim. Without your support and breast [William Congreve: The Mourning Bride; encouragement this would not have been possible – 1697 originally: Musick has charms to sooth the thank you! savage breast] or it may be that it shows the person This book is dedicated to the memory of all great just how much their persistence may be stretched. knot-tyers and to all who have trodden this rare and By standing on the shoulders of giants we see exotic path – the journey continues! PREfACE v PreFace Practical knots (and books about how to tie and white photographic plates illustrating knots and use them) are commonly found in the company attempting to describe their construction. The of sailors, campers, mountaineers, rock-climbers, book’s value as a reference work is evident to those fishermen, firefighters, rescue workers, linesmen, who have some mastery of knots and knotting. riggers, and others who regularly use line for work Following the publication of Graumont or leisure. Many books of knots include some & Hensel’s Encyclopedia, Clifford W. Ashley dec ora tive knots. However, books entirely about wrote the somewhat encyclopedic Ashley Book decorative knots from around the world are hard to of Knots (1944), known to knotters as ABOK or find. the “bible of knots”. It contains 3,854 knots and The Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work knot descriptions and more than 7,000 drawings by Graumont and Hensel (1939) was probably the prepared by Ashley himself – no mean feat first large book in English to classify decorative considering that World War II was not yet over and and functional knots together in one volume. paper was scarce! It is a single volume containing 311 black-and- Since that time, there has been no single work collecting decorative knotting from different cultures around the world, a void I now hope to partially fill. In this book I hope to share my passion for decorative knotting by teaching you how to make such knots yourself. Provided here are step-by- step instructions, illustrated with photographs. If I succeed in this endeavour, it is because you have joined with me in seeing the overall pattern and sense of the knot, aided by photographs showing critical stages in their construction. Where I do not meet your expectations, I welcome your feedback for further and future improvements at www.theknotguy.com. While there are several distinct styles in which decorative knots may be fashioned, this book will focus strictly on the use of cord, avoiding other elements of decoration that rely on knotting, like beadwork, ornaments, or pearls. I have tried to include as many types of decorative knots as are known. However, I cannot describe every decorative knot; the craft is constantly evolving, and so instead I have attempted to classify decorative knotting by the style of knotting, thereby enabling you to find which style most appeals to your sensibilities. I then Frontispiece from Graumont & Hensel’s provide information concerning the background Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work, and construction of some better-known knots of published by Cornell each style. The list of knots is, of course, incomplete vi ThE ulTImATE bOOK Of DECORATIVE KNOTS because no single book could possibly effectively In the beginning of this book I provide a brief show all decorative knots that could be made. history of knotting. You will also find information There are as many classifications of decorative about the tools and materials used to craft knots as there are individual knots. To simplify decorative knots. At the end of the book I have things, I have classified knots into the following included a chapter of projects that put a few of the general types: many decorative knots in this book to use. Try them and practise what you’ve learned in these pages. You may be able to use this information to create Flat knots Braids & Plaits your own individual style, and even a few new knots, Sinnets Covering Knots helping to ensure the continuation of this growing art. Purely Decorative Netting and Woven Turk’s Head Knob Knots Ornamental Knots Opening page of The Ashley Book of Knots, published originally by Doubleday Doran Co. The drawing, along with thousands of others in the book, was made by Ashley himself. 1 getting started A Brief History of tying or lashings around branches, either with bark torn Making strong lines out of natural cordage is a fairly from trees or dried grasses and vines that littered primitive process, and the use of natural cordage the forest floor. Securing skins to the body or about has not altered much since early humankind’s crude a shelter was mostly done using lines and cords. beginnings. The process of using lines dates back The functional knots used to do this have developed at least 380,000 years, to when the inhabitants of through the ages as new materials and tools have Terra Amata in France tied branches together to been invented to assist with holding or pulling form shelters, or even further back in history to objects. when Homo erectus (upright man) gathered groups Knots may have been used for decorative of rocks for making tools such as axes, cleavers, purposes since 45,000 to 50,000 years ago, as and scrapers. It is possible that such rocks had to be stone and ostrich shell beads have been found in carried more than one or two at a time and therefore the Loiyangalani River Valley of the Serengeti would have required a basket of leaves or some other National Park in Tanzania, Africa (New Scientist, knotted or woven structure to facilitate this action March, 2004). Beads require the use of string to (History and Science of Knots,, JC Turner, P van de suspend them, which indicates to this writer that Griend, Eds, World Scientific Publishing, 1996). knotting used in decoration has existed for at least Tying knots may have started with simple bindings that length of time. The use of these beads may 2 the ultimate book of decorative knots Illustrations taken from: Fox Davies, A.C. 1993. A Complete Guide to Heraldry: Gramercy Books. Decorative knotting has progressed a long way from the use of coarse construction-based lines knots that, if sent back with the overlapping knots, used for hauling, binding, and tying, such as the representing their overlapping and separate lives manila and hemp lines shown here. drawn together, were deemed by that sailor to be a sign of true love. Sailors’ practical and decorative have been ritualistic, but it seems likely that the knotting may also have been lost to antiquity if it holes in the beads were made so that they could be were not for the efforts of a few early 18th-century suspended from string made of grass, bark, animal captains, commodores, and admirals who thought it sinew, or leather. A discovery in September 2009 of fit and proper to write books of instruction for the flax fibres in a cave in South Georgia that were dyed young midshipmen in their charge. and probably used for woven fabrics 32,000 years Decorative knotting also has many mysterious ago also suggests that fibres and cords in decorative roots in ritual, superstition and the realms of use, although none have been found preserved, have the occult. To this day much anecdotal mystery been with us for a very long time. surrounds the art of creating these knots. One accurately recorded historic use of decorative knots has been to identify a person, family, or membership in an organisation – here I am speaking of armorial crests and heraldic badges where knots were used to establish the credentials of the bearer. In Chinese mythology and history, decorative knots, such as the Pan Chang, tell stories of love, power, money, and long life. The art of Chinese Knotting was brought back from the brink of extinction by some very dedicated and resourceful authors, artists, and practitioners, such as Lydia Chen and Fay Wang, learning from living treasures such as Eunyoung Kim. During the Great Age of Sail, from approximately 1760 to 1830 when steam power took precedence, European sailors would send home knots to their wives and mistresses to find out if they were still true. Most sailors lacked education Knot design as a Mandala by Leonardo Da Vinci, enough to write; instead, they would tie special recreated in cord by Colin Grundy, IGKT. getting started 3 Knotting todAy cord, we start to see the possibilities for an even To some people, decorative knotting is an art, greater set of choices. By understanding this basic enjoyed for its simplicity or complexity and for the premise, we can then proceed to develop specific wide variety of textiles, lines, and textures present. shapes in the finished article, producing knob knots, For others, decorative knotting is a legacy of folk buttons, stars, roses, or more complex mats. craft that exists for others to practise, and for all to Going beyond the production of articles for enjoy. For a third group, decorative knotting is a skill practical purposes that have a decorative finish, we to be mastered and learned, so that the art and craft then look at ways in which we may create works may be passed on to others. Scientists enjoy the of knotting that are purely decorative, having no descriptive possibilities that knot topology provides other purpose than to look elegant. Now we explore for understanding the universe. Manual therapists realms of possibility of cord choice in fabric, colour, like the repetitive motions inherent in tying knots, and texture. We can start to explore some of the which may be good therapy for mending minds and knotting used for weddings and other ceremonies. bodies. Your interest may be artistic or practical, We start to look at haute couture and fashion, where manual, or mathematical. There are challenges and the use of cord is becoming ever more prevalent. opportunities for all in decorative knotting. Above WHere decorAtive Knots all, decorative knotting is something to be enjoyed, whether in the making, using and admiring or in Are Used passing on to others. I have placed decorative knots in the unlikeliest of places, such as on a hiking staff, on a kettle handle, Using decorAtive cord and as a doormat, so nothing would surprise or Cords come in a variety of types, sizes, materials, puzzle me about where to place or how to use a and colours. Different types of cords and different decorative knot. Some decorative knots lie flat, thicknesses produce very different effects, even in the same knot. The straightforward ‘over-under’ style of weaving cords has many applications, including braids, sinnets, simple mats, rail coverings, and so on. By varying the ‘over-under’ to include more than one crossing, or more than one A square knot that cannot be undone, garnish- ing the cape on a marble statue of Ferdinando d’e Catolico at the Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain. Note Trees trained into a latticework known as also the tassels. pleaching, in Barcelona, Spain. 4 the ultimate book of decorative knots others are round. Some make solid Thinking of fashion and fashion accessories, shapes, others exist in ropelike forms, Hollywood stars are quick to start trends such as braids or sinnets. Decorative knots and drop them almost as quickly. But it is can cover, they can embellish, they can be commonplace to see celebrities using knots tied a stand-alone decoration, or they can add in fabric or silken cords around their necks or to an existing one. They may be made of waists or over their shoulders to emphasise humble stuff or made some particular feature of gold and other or to de-emphasise precious metals. some particular They may be shape. Among colourful, stark dedicated knot- white, or even tyers, the use of the natural decorative knots colour of the is somewhat plant fibre from simple – used in which the material picture frames, bell or cord was derived. I ropes and horse tack, can no more tell you where to decorative knots give plenty of use decorative knots than I can rein (pardon the pun!) to the tell you how to dress yourself, imagination. It is among the but I can provide some examples of where decorative knotting artists that the others have used them, in order to help greatest range may be expected, where stimulate your imagination. the mundane is put to exemplary use in One of the most obvious places creating the best use of space, material, to use a decorative knot is on an and weave. object hanging around your neck, generAting ideAs like a necklace or a key-card lanyard, or suspended as a brooch. Knots may be used While my passion dictates there can never as attachments to the ends of pens or as be too many knots, sometimes for aesthetic bookmark tabs. Sailors used them to create purposes, less is more. You will need to decide. knife lanyards that were the envy of their I would advise a tentative application at shipmates. Keyring tags made from first, until you see what the effect is, so decorative knotting are something that you can determine how much of a craze among knot-tyers – you want to see and embellish this and even non-tyers have object of your desire. Experiment started to use them, with colour, thickness, type, preferring the hard- mixture, texture, and form to-lose knobby feel of until you are more familiar the keyring tag in their with the base on which you pocket or purse. Wherever are working or the stand- decorative knots are used, they alone object you create. From heighten the awareness of beauty this you may then determine (or Butterfly Knot from the that exists in even the simplest of author’s own hand in his perhaps you knew all along!) what objects, so that, literally, ‘a thing of personal collection. would be most suited to your task, beauty is a joy forever’ (Endymion by so that you can feel confident in John Keats, 1795–1821). creating your own masterpiece.