ISSUE 60 SUMMER - JULY1998 ISSN 0959-2881 Guild Supplies Price List 1998
Item Price
Knot Charts Full Set of 100 charts £10.00 Individual charts £0.20
Rubber Stamp IGKT - Member, with logo £4.00 (excludes stamp pad)
Guild Tye Long, dark blue polyester, with knot motif £8.95
Badges· all with Guild Logo Blazer Badge £1.00 Enamel brooch £2.00 Windscreen Sticker £1.00
Certificate of Membership £2.50 parchment membership scroll signed by the President and Hon Sec for mounting and hanging
Cheques payable to IGKT. or simply selld yoor cred~ card details PS Don1 forgello allow 'or Postage
Supplies Secretary:- Bruce Turley 19 Windmill Avenue, Rubery, Birmingham B45 9SP emall [email protected]. Telephone: 01214534124 KNOTTING MATTERS 11 11 THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF
IN1rEEtNAl.l A"'.". ""-" ...... GUILD l'T''-JT:1 TO, Cl ISSUE NO 60 SUMMER 1998
PRESIDENT Rohert ChisnaU HON VICE PRESIDENTS .or Vaughan Jones FRS and Mr. Frank Bards PAST PRESIDENTS Blandford .. Geot'frey Budworth ... Franklin .;Jan Stuart Grainger .. Glad Findley .. Des Pawson
Guild Annual SU1JSC1"iption rates: SECRETARY: Nigel Harding
Ta},pa,rers in the UK - we would EDITORS: a covenanted subscription. Lonnie& Margaret Boggs Marlborough Avenue Ad'verl:isirlg r2ltes:M<~mtlers Non Members KIDLINGTON £49 OXford OX5 Tel: 01865 378104
Knotting is reserved to the Cover design produced by stuart Grainger International Guild of Knot 1995. published KM61 07 AUG 1998 r''''''''r',u'ti to KM62 22 NOV 1998 reprint Should sought from the author KM63 07 FEB 1999 and editor. All sources of quotations KM64 07 JUNE 1999 printed in Knotting are acknowledged.
THE IGKT IS A UK REGISTERED CHARITY NO 802153 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 CONTENTS
The Editor apologises for the delay inpublishing this
05 Man! 06 Ian Williams
Mike Prehistory of Knots Part 2 Charles Warner and Griend 18 DaveWilliams 20 Bernard Collins
Portsmouth AGM, comments 23 24 Pile way 26 Membership Celi;ificatf~s, C()l11Inenlts Chest Beckets Hard Laid Twisted Cord? Edmund Fitzgerald Bell Rope Pyramid Loop Edward Green "Joumal of Nodiology" cont1m(~nts F.C. Brown 30 'NEW' journal, comments Richard HOlpkulS Boat Show, report Richard Hopkins New Supplies Secretary Bruce Turlcy 34 Knotting on Mustique, Carribean Mariann Palmborg 35 AGM Portsmouth Part 1, report Pylon Hitches Owen KNuttall Rope Beds (from 'Knot NEWS' Mary Combs 47 The Improvised Ridgepole (from 'Knot NEWS',P.A.B.) Mike Storch
2 KNOTIING MATIERS 60 - JULY 1998 NOTES FROM THE nounce, that in the absence of SECRETARY'S any volunteers, Bruce Turley BLOTTER has agreed to take on this role. Our thanks, and wholehearted They say that as one gets older support go to Bruce, whoal... time passes more qUickly, and ready devotes much of time certainly it seems to have flown to the Guild in helping Linda to by late. I have now been in keep the accounts, and prepare new house a year, and what all the various financial data with decorating, building a and indicators for the Council. shed, greenhouse and a conser... I won't say too much about going to work, and AGM, as there no doubt will tempting the. Guild others reporting on it, however, ticking there has not been I did undertake to invite a much time for any sleep. membership debate on the In order to check the ever its of a postal ballot for the cre,aSUlj~ work load, Sylvia has election of Council members resi~led as Supplies Secretary including the President. At pre order to spend more time sent the recently amended me with the routine Constitution requires that one administration. Not before time third of the Council each some might as we were just year, and an election must take beginning to complaints place at the AGM for the suc about the time taken to despatch cessors, who will in turn, be some the orders. This is not elected for a term really our fault, as some of our Those retiring, can of course suppliers ate not particularly offer themselves for re ...election. good with delivery dates. The current ballot arrangements eXllmlclle, we ordered a quantity have been in place since 1982 of Guild brooches in February, when we became a registered for the AGM, it is now charity, although in previous the end of June, and still no sign years a postal ballot had been of them despite a can to attempted, and had failed. We that they would arrive a fort... do have more members now, night However, an that and it is possible that it time we are pleased to an... KNOTIING MATIERS - 3 that we should consider a return Zealand, showing his restored this method. If we did, the steam boat The Ernest Kemp, logistics would need careful sailing around the beautiful vol consideration, for example it canic lake Puriri, in what can would be necessary to receive only be described as the most nominations at least three idyllic surroundings. The months before the AGM in or Ernest Kemp is quite a tourist der to print and issue ballot pa~ attraction, and the bodywork (is pers, ·aU of these difficulties can this the right term for a boat) be overcome, if there is a wilL includes a great deal of wood The principal argument in... panelling. Following on from volved the fact that there are the millennium concept of only about a hundred members members making a knot board at the AGM, whereas for 'exchangeable pUblic dis... there are nearly a thousand eli~ play', Jack has offered space gible to vote. We could have an aboard the Ernest Kemp to pre~ open discussion here in the sent a display of knotboards. pages of KM, or I could simply Moving on, if you are theSec~ ask those who are in favour to retary of a local branch, and if write tome, and I can assess the you have a newsletter, could likely response. you include Jeft Wyatt, The Li~ A final note on this subject is brarian, in your mailing list. He to report that the Council for the also compiles the Diary of current year comprises of Rob Events, so if you know some~ ertChisnall, Bruce Turley, Jeff thing is happening, let him Wyatt and Ken Yalden who all know and he will include it. retire in 1999, Linda Turley, These need not be exclusively Brian Field and Colin Grundy, IGKT events, but anything who retire in 2000, myself, which the membership may be Charlie Smith and David interested in, such as the Walker who retire in 2001. WOOden Boat ShoW, or a Pesti" Enough of that, on to some... val of the Sea. thing a little more interesting. I If you are a UK taxpayer, have received a fascinating would you like to consider video from Jack Grice in New covenanting your subscription.
4 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 to 100 published dersley ISBN Price UK£10.99. I use and inten~stjlng
I was unsure book is well laid out, helpful each other and the rope taut. arid certainly well worth buy- The problem I have is that the ing. rope I use is slippery and the knot slips. (This rope is optimal and does not snap so I would like to continue to use it.) I use a surgeon's knot Choose knots for fishing, camping, sailing, at present which is far climbu,.gand general or decomtive use from optimal. Unfor wi#l the ~clP.of quick~t'eference symbols tunately the non slip • knots that I know such Select the correct rope for the job by assessing as the vice-versa can the different types ofrope and their fUnctions and.breaking loads not be tied while keeping the rope taut. Ed: Joy is a Venture Scout and I have drawn a diagram to illus was asked to do this review as trate. the book is aimed at young ~-'p-,,~~~ people just like her, so please -- 'lo>~ ""~ ,.,.;:j~CC--_.- \..'"';~~ S,u.ot. to forgive us not using a known r.<. ~l' - 1o,,.M ""'loT expert. 0(. tu ""().".,,~ ~'1"~ At< ...,." ~ mmm "'t f.v.l.U t~..~
HELP PLEASE: for Ian Wil liams, Derby UK. from Owen K Nuttall - Hud I have a problem concerning dersfield. knots and I am writing in the Reference the letter by me in hope that someone can give me KM59-30, for security in tying some advice. I string medita a Dolly Knot use a DIVERS tion beads for a Buddhist Cen HITCH not a 'Drivers Hitch' tre. This involves stringing 108 (This should have raised a few beads and tying the rope to eyebrows looking in books for gether at its ends to form a cir the missing hitch). cle with all the beads touching 6 KNOTIING MATIERS 60 - JULY 1998 Reference Roger Miles' Ed: reference your com- on repetitive knots. ment Dwell, maybe KM not had previously men really read by anyone, as no tioned in KM43-3Z about one has comm,ltnied. changing Little Beauty to Cor- iflg. Bend (tied the reverse way) but forgot to mention that the reverse tied Corrick Bend turned into a Crown Bend. If from MikeWilson, Virginia, Roger had been more observant USA he would have noticed that my The new bell lanyard for the Harmonic Bend not the same USS Constitution (KM58) is a as the Double Eight Bend. beautiful piece of art. I extend Firstly the configuration of the my sincere congratulations to knots are different (slightly I lames Doyle for this achieve... admit> by comparing the two ment. And, I learned something knots When tightening them, the new by studying the lanyard's differences become apparent. specifications. I have always Harry Asher's bend Open Ses been under the impression that ame might only differ from strict maritime tradition states Ashleys #1453 by a simple in that the lead of a Turk's head terchange, so does the Sheet knot goes around 3 times only; Bend differ from a Reef Knot no more and no less. In any a simple interchange as event, was the wooden dowel many knots do. (seeartides on treated, in any way, before it Trambles by Desmond was encased? Incidentally, the ManderviUe). The late Harry T.W. Evans Cordage Company was a knowledgeable in was very gracious. It sent me a knots and an informa... SaInple of cord
7 Pieter van
PART What's
the materials medium that may have been used to tie the est and have were attempts to materi.als to other things. We found a need to adopt a number of terms not often found in the knotting literatlllrc, In next Part we will on to standard knots, the bin.;.. hitches, stopper knots, bends have been developed to a number str111cture within a knot and to
and we propose to use later. pOsisible I11atc:ria[s are listed terms Unmodified media include some useful applications. in the vines and creepers, surface roots, of how knots are grasses and rushes how they are tied or how bamboo shoots, rattan and canes, and withes which can all be used as found, EARLY KNOTTING MEDIA Modified media include the fibres coconut husks Or around the seeds of It that knots Were use a cotton and siIllilar plants, the fibres split ltmg time before there was anything that out from the inner bark of many trees we would recognise as rope or cordage, and shrubs, from the latge leaves from
8 KNOTIING MATIERS 60 - JULY 1998 some plants such as most of the lily people, planning and discussion of past from leaves, stalks or trunks and future activities would have been of many palms; long thin branches, essential. It is often held that this kind of roots, vines, bamboo behaviour could only be found after the stemS etc. can be split to give more development of full language. material. Some of these thiIlgs Animal products were probably also can be made more suitable by pounding, used, either as found, as modified or with or without prior soaking in cold or made up into rope etc. Hair, tendons and hot water, aIlq then separating the fibrous whole or split intestines would all have from the non-fibrous fractions. been used. It is possible that tendons Often single •plant stems are too might have been used as long as 1.5 weak or too short for the job and a suit- million years ago: Some cut marks on able medium must manufactured. If fossilised bones been interpreted by several stems are in parallel, some as meaning that skin and tendons stre:ng1:h is gained but is rather than meat were wanted. There is Twisting the steIllS provides some also suggestive evidence that hides might stability aIld, if ends are overlapped, have been split into thongs as much as allows lengthening. The resulting strands 100 thousand years ago, in the 'cutting are longer and stronger than the original boards' already mentioned, scored with StemS still quite flexible though parallel cuts. to unravelling. Braiding The nature ofthe Inedia available for stems together also provides extra binding, suspending 01' supporting objects but is not so applicable to in the early days would have influenced lengthening the material. The extra corn the first knots tied. Such properties as plication of using twisted strands to flexibility 01' brittleness, SUrface friction make braid, or twisting them together and strength would all have influenccd again to make laid rope, allows long, the selection of the first knots. strong, tlexibIeand more stable cordage, and must have been fairly obvious early ENTANGLEMENTS AND KNOTS in the development of nlanufactured media. A few short fragments of Z We can now start speculating all how the twisted plant fibres were found in a 19 craft of knotting might have started, what thousand year old excavation Israel, could have suggested to the early homi and were thought to have been used in nids that the process we caU knotting fishiIlg nets. Two $-twisted strands Were could be profitable. conlbined as Z-laid rope mm diam- Tropical forestS have many plants in Lascaux Cave, perhaps 17 thou that wrap around other plants, sometimes sand years old. While only the simplest strangling them, splitting them, or pulling of stone tools would have been them over. Spider webs can be and Ill2mufa(;tUl:e of cordage, a con- thick, to net and trap large insects; sid 9 MATTERS the fibres in palms and bark to weave the units of structure tightly packed on to into their nests. Entanglements of vines, one another so that would be mini- brambles or saplings can be found in mal slippage When loaded. The average JUllt;IC1>, obstructing movement. modern person with little training or things could inspire a interest in knotting is much more likely making of entanglements, am~ to make a conglomerate on parcels or the bushes, snares and traps, using at first like than anything other media naturally present Composite Knots are but eventually collecting sequences two or more units materials where they were common and Because the whole thing is to a At some We usefully talk an and places, and snares may algorithm or detailed method of making much more animal food than the knot. When using \lines or othel' media so can't always put in a tU111 or structure where you want algorithm would have to be rather than the sequence of of structure would be but not exact ornumbeL Once a com- knot is found by someone to be suitable fora given pUitpose, is 'Veq' likely_ try • tie mM wfrene~ need is nised, to teach tbe knot We to others in the same con1Pound knots: ConglOmerate Knots are ha!)haizaJi"d or more structure. units are often to to select as renleITIOer the normal tendellcy ithlll to tie it, and to manipulate the more units until knotting medium into the knot in the secure. It is unlikely appropriate place. would repeated when It should be noted that by far tbe need arose for a similar knot, even majority of knots tied would have been by the same person: the procedure Would put Into immediate use in some practical be to simply add tucks, twists and hitch- application. Very feWkIlOts would have es until tneknot seemed secure. The been tied just for their own sake or even more efficient conglomerates would have just for teaching. Experimentation to find 10 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 novel knots seems more likely to have knots. Apes display a lot more skills and been· on the job or as part of a practice activities in laboratories than they do in for the final job rather than any system the wild, in part at least because they are atic study of knots isolated from their given opportunities and incentives. In ... application. Construction of dwellings, deed, it has been suggested that through scaffoJ.ds, watercraft the like would out human evolution, populations were social cooperation and capable of more sophisticated planning and may well have been pos culture than they used; what was lacking sible only after the development of full was a perceived need to increase their language, even though the actual tying of affectiveness or a social acceptance of the knots might not itself have required new and different behaviour. To language or cognitive abilities. composite knots rather than conglomer'" Modern hunter....gatherers act in coopera ates requires incentives. tive groups much more than is The first knots tied must have found in our individualistic capitalist always been conglomerates (except by so that it seems likely that accident), and eVer since then some ancient humans such as people seem to get on all right binding spearheads or even making only or mainly conglomerates, neVer or necklaces would also have been under- rarely composites. But others, particular ly those in some specialised or must be occupations (including members of the knots IGKT), only and difficult to would be almost to be found to tying What are advantages over cOllg1orn,'" erates that would encourage. our remote ancestors to take a lot of time con- such as tetldons, have been a lot better. It seems to us that until manuj[ac1:ur<~d nleO,W--S'DUll. been the 1998 secure (non-slipping) than a conglomer that tying, untying so that the tier may have confidence retying--elothing, tenlpClral'y screens etc it is a to a sails On a 'first aid' etc. We are inclined to think that one of is in part, glorious history neater, often more dec:oral- in which it is possible to feel one is than a conglomerate. sharing. Untying. In general, a composite Non.... working knots. All theabo\ie much to untie after loading apply to working knots, but knots have than a conglomerate. When we look been used for a very long time (how the earliest knots we have evidence for long we have little idea) for other pur.... --binding knotl';, guys, lashings, poses, decorative, l';Ymbolic, nlystical 01' hends--at first glance we might say that magic, or as aids to measurement, com.... it would be rare to need to untie them. putation, communication or memory, or But further thought might suggest that just for games. In most instances, the when using the kinds of knotting nledia specificity of composite knots would in early days, it might often have have been useful or essential-' been necessary to untie (and refie) the conglomerates, or even just any old knots to adjust a fastening, after stretch composite, would often simply not have ing or shrinking of the medium. If the done the job. medium was used to help carry loads, Conclusions. Perhaps, sOme delibet... occasional tying and untying would have ate composites appeared quite eadyand very probably been needed. were tied by specialist practitioners. If But there are some ""ti.,it,i",,, so, cognitive abilities and a bit the KNOTTING MATTERS 60 1998 Our guess be that c01nplDsille knots would and tiOTl of not have until some 10 thousand or later. All these needed knots can so or manufacture for a or more. So we can erectus over the whole of the old world in the course of a few hUlldll'ied thousand years, We do not JULY 1998 notice. ~ 9 TWiSt 10 Wrap 11 Turn THE STRUCTURE OF KNOTS knots are made up of only one unit of structure, Examples include the Overhand Knot, the Half Half and (Ash.... knots contain two or more units. of and we must say what we mean by that twists in of can 17. tWisted in one the second Shadows and Unks inlagine chain links over.... Overhands and Shadows lapping each other in four different ways The simplest knot containing the (1, 3, 4), then it can be seen that their Twist unit of structure is the Overhand shadows (5, 6, 8) are identicaL Note Knot. Its shadow is ShoW11 in 18, and the that overlaps 2 and 4 are really inter.... Z and S forms in 19, The other links, that is, nseful, whereas 1 and 3 are fOIDls, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 have the just one thing on top of the other, and same shadow but are obViously nOD""" not usefuL knots. It is usual to omit such forms Comnlon of structure are When interpreting the shadows of knots, twists, where two knotting media are though the possibility of their existence together, wraps, where one must be bome in mind. medium is wrapped round another with""" FolloWing Harry Ashet (A New out otherwise and turns, System of Knots, IGKT 1986, Vol U, the wraps are made more rounded, pS), we distinguish the spine (the twisted core medium may be omitted, part of the knot), the belly (opposite the KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY t998 We recognise in 33 the direction towards the standing end as the proxi mal direction (p ~~ re 30 Z-Transverse 32 In many knots is an Overhand se psp R Knot structure pierced (28) by another 35 meJdiUlffi through the The plereirlg may be either parallel, that is ent 16 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 as they appear in the finished knot may be different. Thus the crossings in 46, are made alternately (over, under, over, under), though the crossings as seen in the finished knot are non-alter.... nate. The other fortnations retain their or crossings whether they are regarded while being made or as Consequently, it is Tucks and Algorithms essential to state the crossings are FURTHER READING when they betWeen altl~mate and non-alternate. If no quali K R. Gibson and Ingold (eds) Tools, fication is made, it is to be understood lAnguage and Cognition in Human that the order of in finished Evolution Cambridge University knot is meant Press, 1993. Note the number of tucks need- R. Graves Australian J3ushcraft Child & to. make a knot depends not only on Associates, Sydney, 1989 the nature o.f the knot but also on the J. Kingdon Self-·made Man and his algorithm used to. make it. Thus, the knot Undoing, Simon & Schuster, shown in needs only one tuck ( V"rnT'TT1'.1n lVIA11E:RS 60 - JULY 1998 Woody's knots (1) Reef Knot I believe a knot is tied best over right or right over left. when its structure is For the purpose ofthese notes, understood, and nothyreciting it does not matter which. a magic formula such as "left over right and under, right over If you are tying it around left and under". So here is the something (these notes were structural approach to the knot made while I tied it round my ofthat quotation. thigh!), notice that when you have pulled the overhand knot A reef knot lies flat so that up tight, the two ends fall each end points back towards naturally at an angle to the the direction it came from. A standing parts, just as I have reef knot is practised best by shown in the diagram. tying it round something" and in order to get it correct, you must look at it from on top (which is the only way possible if it is tied round something), The knot is tied with the "ends", The part of the rope on the other side ofthe knot, which takes no part in the Now take one of the ends (it tying" is known as the does not matter which), and "standing part". fold it gently so that it lies opposite the other end and So start your reef knot with a beside its oWn standing part. halfknot (which has the same This folding is what knot tyers structure as the overhand or call making a bight thumb knot). This half knot maybe made by either left 18 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 Finally, tighten the knot by pulling both ends. At this stage, let's try to explain some terms. Obviously, a piece of cord, rope or string has two ends. Next take the other end and The part of rope between the bring it across both the flrst ends is the bight. This is end's standing part and then different from a fold made in the flrstend itself. the bight of the rope which a bight! I have already described how the parts of a cord may be distinguished on the basis ofhow they take part in the tying of the knot, as working and standing parts. In the case ofareefknot which effectively joins the two ends Tuck the second end through ofthe same piece ofcord (after the bight you made with the it has been wrapped round a first end. parcel), both ends are working endsaI1d the bight is the startdiI1gpart. When tying a bend which is a knot which is used to .•• join two ropes, one working end is supplied by each rope, whose standing part includes the bight the standing end. T?"r.'FT'''U' MATTERS 60- scouts, guides and adults on the I FROM OUR POSTBAG I making of light pulls. from Bemard Collins-Somerset, It is very useful, as I can have UK a group of 8 or 10 at anyone Former for Holding Portuguese time and get them in a half cir Sennit for Light Pulls cle around me. It's much better For some time now Richard than hanging the cord around a Hopkins has been pushing me chair leg etc, also it can be put to let other knotters know of my aside on the former during Former. I have been using it for breaks. quite a few years, to teach cubs, 20 KNOTIING MATIERS 60 - JULY 1998 The assembly is qUite a simple born with her umbilical cord one, the 2" x 1" xl" block is tied in an overhand knot glued and screwed to the 3.' )( 2" (Ashley#514). We were told x plank and the cup hook by the midwife that although it screwed into it. The opposite was unusual, it was not unkown end has to be drilled. There are for this to ocCUr. various ways to drill, but make Could this explain the fanati~ sure the holes line up. The x cism of the members of IGKT? 1" xl" block is to be glued and Were we all born with this dis~ screwed. So do the drilling first tinctive anatomical feature, are then you will see where to put we all programmed from birth your screws. That's an there is to tie knots? to it. lam watching my grandaugh It can be laid on the table for ter very carefully to see if she younger members of a group, exhibits unusual knotting abili also for guides when wearing ties as she gets older and I will skirts. Most people sit OIl chairs report further should this occur, with the former held between On a different matter can I their knees. I usually use it to draw· the attention of gardening make light pulls, but it has as membrs to the Espalier knot many uses as one wishes to ap~ (Ashley #363). 1 was somewhat ply, sceptical as to the efficiency of this knot on reading about it in Ashley; but when I tried it, I was greatly impressed and from Alan KiIlg~Worcester, UK found it an easy and very I wrote some years ago when I tive way of tying roses, dema~ thought that I had diSCOvered tis, vines and the like to both oldest member of IGKT, wires and trellis. unfortunately it proved only to a misprirtt in KM. I think I am now on from Bill Holt~Bucks, UK surer ground, how about the Concerning the Portsmouth potential member? weekend, the venue in the old My grandaughter, Amber, was docks was magic, the display 21 1998 work the craft was brilliant, it seems people found us by was something at come SUJrldalY filOrnin,g out were making was happlamng tSl~;ge;st Turks Head some one for record. This from a would have at... start back early the tracted a lot people but no, there I am sure this was true in was myself, Tony, Charlie and some but not alL one other guild member. I don't want this letter to worked on it until 5.30prn read as a negative criticism, I and nobody came. We left Just wonder if the event was ad ... knot tH the Sunday morning vertised in the local paper or and repositioned it towards the not? I am sure you know as double doors. Come Sun... wen as I that an craft fairs are day I think it was then more. so placed in the paper weeks that I realised the lack of public before the event and certainly awareness of the event. right up to the event taking On a personal basis I wasn't place. Is the problem that we aware the guild's sign out;,. have a lack of funds for this side the dock gates, and I had kind of advertising and, if so, never seen one inside either and why not at the next meeting KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 have an open forum where we EUREKA! My birthday ar can get some ideas together to rived On the 12/3/98 and with it raise cash for advertising future a present from my Mary my events. Wife. .A pair of socks? No. A r as I am trying to be pullover? No. It was a copy of constructive. I think we have Geoff Budworth's New Knot enough brains in our guild to Book. Well written, good make more of an impact next drawings, infonnative and very time we display our crafts. I interesting. The knot that drew feel a little sad those who my attention was the Icicle were displaying and teaching Hitch. Devised by John Smith anybody who to know and shown on pages 70171 of how, a shame though that they Geoff's book. Little did I know could not sell their crafts.. Still that 10 weeks later, I would it was a good weekend, and it need to use this hitch for real, was good to see everybody and not justonce but twice. again. One evening in mid May, One idea I had wa.s perhaps to while busy in the back garden, everybody to make one Mary called me and told me she knot, display them all on one had found one of those tree board and raffle the board to things growing in the bushes. the public. Providing this is The tree thing turned out to be a well advertised it should make young self setting sycamore that some funds for us. was growing in the middle of a According Pieris shrub. 'What are you guards whole docks were going to do' asked Mary. Dig it that weekend. I am out? 'I'll get a trowel'. 'No sure Ken made every effort Mary, digging it out is not an ifpeople are not option, as I may damage the nothing can make other shrub, light chains come out. More and a and I can out that ancient bloke 'I wrapped some around VM{YFf'TMr: MA1T1:!:K::ioU - JULY 1998 sycamore and shackled it to a and good thinking by Geoff crowbar, a good heave and I Budworth for choosing to put it nearly went flat on my back. in his new book. The Icicle Oh dear! (censored) The chain hitch works and ifs great. A had slipped off. I'll get a trowel must for all knot tyers and now said Mary. No said I, I will use gardeners. plan B. A rolling hitch tied with some parachute cord and a C8J from John Smith-Surrey, OK Chinese hitch round the croW Here is an offering for Knot bar will do it. Heave! No good, ting Matters. Are you going to the rolling hitch had simply get an email address soon? stripped the bark off the tree, Anything that makes it easier leaving the young sycamore in for lazy people like me to send tact. I was now left with a stuff can only give you a greater semi-ridged perpendicular ta choice of materiaL pered and very slippery object Knot another Pile Hitch! to remove. Dig it out? No! Here's heresy. Throw out the Remember Robert the Bruce Marlingspike Hitch. So it has and the spider. I decided to try been used for hundreds of years. the Icicle hitch that is in Geoffs So there is nothing new about book. The Icicle hitch was duly the Pile Hitch. When did con tied with the parachute cord to siderations like that stop a knot the sycamore then the Chinese tyer from trying anew tech hitch to the crowbar. A cau~ nique? tious heave, it held, then a good I confess that developing this heave and, yes, out it came application of the Pile Hitch roots and all. The Pieris shrub w.as just as a result of 100kiIlg undamaged. Two days later for yet more ways to use this Mary spotted another sycamore simple structure to replace, in the back garden, this time it however tenuously, every knot was eaSY. The Icicle hitch in existence. again. Job done. What I saw, however, was a My congratulations to John use that was: Smith for devising that hitch Every bit as quick as an experi- 24 KNOTIING MATIERS 60 • JULY 1998 enced forming of the Marling spike Hitch Strong and secure while doing work Entirely un-Jammable, no mat~ ter what the strain Much kinder to the line, with no sharp curves This is how you make it. Catch a bight with your thumb as in Figure 1. Make sure that the two parts are right way round. In the illustration, the part marked with an arrow is the part you are going to haul, What Pile Hitch Will be on your spike. shown as the end of the line After you have hauled on your will in reality lead to the yet line, the Pile Hitch will fall off unused line. your spike and disappear. Sweep the spike under your hand and the line, away frortI your body. Use your forefinger to guide the two parts. Twiddle the spike over and under, to arrive at Figure 2. Now just touch the point of the spike to your thumb. At this stage, the hitch is quite loose and a subtle forward and up~ ward movement of the spike will allow the loose hitch to slide a little down the spike. This hitch will draw up all by itself. Just pull and a perfect 2 25 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 From Mike Wilson I would also appreciate hear Alexandria, VA ing from anyone with any inter A couple of comments about est or expertise in this area. I KM56. A Guild Flag of burgee can be contacted at: Joe Barry, a idea? Sign me up Kent Street, Brackton, MA now to receive one. If you need 02402, USA. a supplier, I recommend Mr Stu Ed.' We have sent this letter On Fried. He is the owner of Pres Richard Phelan and Mrs tige Flag and Banner located at Wyatt jor their help; can any 7052 Orangewood Ave, #2 one else help Joe? We also re- Garden Grove CA92641. His a similar from products are ex(~eHent Renholt Berg, USA re sea beckets, so have also r was surprised membership this one on t60. certificates were not given out Meantime,Mr Berg would also as a matter of course for joining like help re KM56 page 47 or renewing. Of course IGKT mention of Australian Hard must initiate issuing member Laid Twisted Cord, I beleive ship certificates - the cost of this is available from Ray which included in the amount MCLaren PO Box Moonbi, of dues. Wallet sized versions NSW 2353. Mr. Berg has been might be made available for unable to find hard laid cord for purchase. about five years and has been using medium laid. The hard laid he has left is brown and requires painting, It would be from Joe Barry, Brockton, USA nice Mr Berg as you say, you I am a new member of IGKT could attend a General Meeting, in the past year. I am doing re- the enthusiasm of members is u",,,,',,,u on chest bel::k€ltS. infectious. ED teH anything has been published in 1\..n.mtmg Malue.ts and which sues so I can order COIJles. KNOTTING 'A "." ...... '" JULY 1998 From Jerry Cronan, Michigan, how it would look in 1f4 black USA nylon line. A friend, Ken Ste phens (master metal finisher) removed the paint type finish that had been put on the bell at Michigan State University, and brought the bell to the beautiful gleaming finish displayed today in the Shipwrech Museum, al most within bells toll of the ships resting place, at Whitefish Point Michigan. A point of in terest; the c1apper on a ship's bell swings on a rod that is I tied this Bell Rope for the athwartships, in the top of the Edmund Fitzgerald, 7.10.95. bell. That permits the bell to be The ball is a Diamond and Crown Knot, doubled. (There rung ONLY in a fore and aft direction. This prevents ringing is one on display at the US Na as the ship rolls in a heavy sea. val Academy) The stem is cov ered with coach whipping, and a ~~~ six strand Turk's Head at each end. A round brass thimble for From Edward Greene, New wear and a bronze screw pin York USA shackle to attach to the bell In KM58, Mr Wolfe ends his dapper. excellent article on the pyramid The Edmund Fitzgerald was loop by asking if anyone has launched in 1958. She went seen this knot. As it turns out, I down in Lake Superior with all had never seen it before and 29 hands 10.11.75. The ship's liked it very much. Imagine my bell was raised from 530 feet of surprise when at the Wooden water, 4.7.95. I attached the Boat Show in Maryland, Dan bell rope 8.2.96. Machowski of the IGKT dem The five point Star Knot is onstrated the very same knot! It just for comparison and to see was made in an alternative 27 KNOTIING MATIERS 60 - JULY 1998 manner which I will attempt to From Karl Bareuther, Germany describe as follows: In KM59 Charles Warner said 1. FOrll1 bight 1 by crossing end that he really cannot see that the A over B Ditty Bag has much relevance Form bight 2 in end A and to knotting, I am sure if any slip it UNDER end B sailor from the old days coulcl Bring endB UNDER bight 2 read this he woulcln' tagree at and pass it UP through bight all. Beside the sea chest the 1 ditty bag has been the daily Finally, pass end B DOWN companion of the sailor. He through bight 2 alongside it" took pride in making the very self best of a ditty bag and espe~ Tighten and shape. dally in tying an intricate lane. yard for it. From ship to ship and during his whole life he saved his highly valued tools in it and at sea it hung very close to him On a hook on his bunk in the focs'le. Not only some tradi~ tional mariners made ditty bags in ther spare time but able bod ied seamen who were familiar with knotting, splicing and sewing did them. The ditty bag didn't stand JUSt for knotting, that is right, but is had much more relevance to the men at sea and the ropework they were used to. It. stood for seamanship and sailor's pride, At the moment I am sailing in the German Barkentine 'Lilli Marleen' as a .watchkeeping and of course, I have one presents 'serious' articles'. my ditty bags (probably These could include Taxonomy, made by an old sheUback) with Test Results, Forensic reports, me. Where would I keep Structure analyses, Knot theory highly valued tools. my (mathematic.al) etc. say thank you to Louis I would Charles' who told us so much suggestion be taken up the the history of the ditty initial publication a periodi bag inKM58. cal (annual?), bulletin/journal Ed: the devoted to the techni cal/scientific. aspects of knots and ropework. the concept of a magazine as gested by Charles could considered later, one new public. cation will reqUire considerable planning and or~~anisatioln. In cOrJlsideritlg as note. KNO'ITfNG 60- the rest of us could not under k8Jk8J stand what was being published. And on.the same subject I am reminded of the expres~ From Richard Hopkins, Bristol, sion:- UK The product of science is What fOllows is my comment Knowledge or reply to the articles in KM59 The product of scientists is about the .direction of future reputation IGRT publications. Reputations are notoriously Discussion in KM and the fragile. AGM covered the way ahead Furthermore, a division for the Guild. There seems to among the membership would be a move among those with remOve access to the vast pool i?flated egos and limited pa.; of knowledge held by the rank tlence to create an elite branch and file members.. It always of self styled 'experts' with new useful to attend Guild meetings publications of a 'high profes~ because you can invariably find sional standard'. This I believe a member with specialised ex to be a mistake as far as the pertise that he or she is happy to Guild concerned because it share with anyone that shows an would destroy the relaxed but interest. The elite, to their loss, serious and enthusiastic ap would be cutting themselves off proach which works so well at from this wide ranging data.; present. base, and assistance from those It would also be difficult to Who can initiate, through per fulful the aims of the Guild as sonal contacts, research among an educational charity if the self non-members, appointed 'elite' are restricting We must not forget that there or diverting the flow of infor are many people who have mation to those that they con- made Cl living from knotting worthy, or to those who who have no interest in joining an additional sub the Guild but are happy to a 'technical' maga advice if asked in the ,,"~"'r>' professional, expert fashion by interested members. or acadet1l1ic, thus implying that JULY 1998 As examples of this, I knew acad~ic . views by post, and someone, now retired, who used then publish, or submit for pub to get, amongst other knotting lication to KM when ideas have work, regUlar timed contracts to been sorted out. make 350,000 grommets as We are an educational charity, ammunition box. handles. I not an academic institution, and don't know how fast he had to our magazine (or newsletter) work, but another acquaintance reflects this by filling its pages used to produce 50+ eye splices with knotting news. The publi an hour. Neither of these men cations of most academic bod... wished to join the Guild, but ies, from architects tozoolo~ were undoubtedly professional gists, rely for much of their knotters whose income de~ funding on commercialadver~ pendedsolely on their digital tising, So that the relevant tech... dexterity and knotting ability nical information is sometimes and had a fund of anecdotes and hard to find, We do not have information to impart. this problem with Knotting If some members have such a Matters. high opinion of themselves and As a final thought, and with.. their abilities, why don't they out a copy to hand, lam not form their own Society. The sure if the Constitution of the product of their deliberations Guild caters for funds being could then be offered to the used to diversify in this faShion knotting world as and when on the publication front. As a they think we are capable of charity we cannot afford to assimilating it. This would of break any constitutional rules. course require a lot of organisa~ Perhaps I misunderstood the tion and probably some expense gist of the articles ill KM58 & but would save the rest of the 59 and these wonderful new Guild membership haVing to pUblications would be induded sUbsidiSe a piggy-back 'elite'. in the Current subscription to all However, as so many members members. This would pre'" are in regular correspondence, sumably satisfy the constitution, why not continue to exchange but since we are getting the ar~ 31 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 • JULY 1998 ticles anyway in KM, I do not all the rain that weekend see any benefit to the general straight throllgh our stand. It membership, was a wet weekend. It has not been my intention to An exhibitor on a neighbour offend anyone during this ing stand, UK ATLANTIC commentary, although I believe CHALLENGE, watched our that some of my statements may efforts to attract competitors for construed, The comments the Six Knot Challenge, and the part are based upon conver~ instruction we gave to passers satjofls with many Guild mem- by of all ages and He bers and I have tightened came and asked uS to instruct (and cleaned) some the some of his people April thoughts to me. 1999 at Fishguard, Pembroke~ were the only com:.. shire, on proposal, even the The UK ATLANTIC CHAL AGM Were totally unimpressed. LENGE is the UK part of an Can we presume apathy or are international maritime organi~ all still thinking about sation with 8 member nations, anyfnore comments on Canada, Denmark, Ftance, Ire~ such a huge proposal would be land, Mexico, Russia, USA and appreciated, Or do we take the the UK. Each year a team of 20 lack ofinterest asa nO and the young people is selected, idea dies a death. What do the trained and compete in contest membership want? events which include sailing and towing a traditional gig, navigation and seamanship. also from Richard Hopkins.. Included in the training are ba:.. Recently Ken Yalden and I sic knots, bowline, reefknot, attended the Classic Boat Show sheetbend, clove hitch, sheep at Bucklers Hatd in Hampshire. shank, round turn and two half We were sited alongside hitches, sack knot and perhaps Knots and the one Or two others. Instruction stall to flooed, with in knots is often as an water ankles. fold in ev€~nif1m activity two hours or channelled so, to help relax after a day of rowing. r'3luJuppllu The requeSt was to the Guild rj)quulRll?Itt 01· tile to see if anyone could attend for ~r'3 one of these evenings, possibly on Tuesday, early in April 70iJllD liIlfU:J-lllfLt£tll£ll.iL 1999 to instruct and talk about pol.ttllflel'll. 01 knots they need to learn. (JJruR£ .t;;}'Il4."..g As we have several Guild tU tll£·n£lO. dltppli£.t &.erelan", members in Pembrokeshire I 1nlltJ.mint:t lu£ nllFt>tlulll 01 though that it would be a great &g1iJ.la. 7HJanlif1fh aliu ~ opportunity for them to partici g.ea.n attJUJ.etJ.lllflel'. pate, especially since Pem~ brokeshire is so far ftom most (j)11!1U£ Ultd tpJlIl' ordUL tliut!l Guild activities. It might eVen ID help to start a small branch. So (jJFUeR C7lldfJq~ can anyone help in Pembroke~ 19 7Ob,dRtill c/b').fJ.lu.l£ shire, if you start now, you have (fhlhtJ~:f (jJiFflilhlg),al'l'l time to get organised by April next year. (jJ459SC7 The Challenge is, like us, an (jJhrnu 0121 4534124 educational charity, so cannot fJ.wta1l: provide fees, but will cover 1 06077.1156€jlt:~I'lIUU£FO travel costs and can proved overnight accommodation with one ofits volunteers. Anyone able to help please 3tpola and fllil}.I!J U:J1J1 rJJnll'£ contact: ~ Ul&!£U in tlli.t IUJIlJ. l'JOl Jane Kett on 01559 363201 or tlllCt>. write to her at UK Atlantice Challenge .Mari time Training Trust, Y Bwthyn, High Street, LlandysuI, Cardi ganshite, SA44 4DN KNOTTING MATIERS 60 - JULY 1998 From Mariann Palmborg, Be showed up and told me she is a quia, St Vincent & Grenadines member of IGKT, I was so ex Coming home from my first cited I forgot to ask her, her IGKT meeting in Liverpool I name. That's the right attitude felt small. On the other hand folks, come and visit me on my people had shown me the width wonderful paradise island - Be- of the knotting art, and all of the possibilities we have. A couple of weeks after ar riving home I got an interest ing job, to decorate the bam boo room in Mandalay House, Mustique. The house used to belong to David Bowie, but for the past two years has be longed to Felix Denny. Mustique is the neighbouring quia in the Carribean. island I can see from my ve Ed: Oh Marriann, ifonly. randa. It is where the rich and famous have houses including Princess Margaret. I had a lovely week knot ting day and night. I cov ered about 75 feet of poles and used approximately 1.5 miles of rope! The em ployer and I were very pleased with the result. The season has started back here on Bequia so I am back at the harbour selling my stuff from my 1958 Landrover. One of the first days a lady from England 34 KNOTTING MATTERS 60 - JULY 1998 Coming in the big double doors, members were given a name badge and asked to sign the visitors book. by Lonnie Boggs "Are you doing anything this weekend, Lonnie?" "Oh yes, I'm off to Ports mouth Historic Docks for an AGM of the Guild." "Oh, your ANORAKS club!" Well, in fact, yes, and proudly so too. The AGM weekends are always interesting and very It's always good to see so many busy. I have the best job of all I people I haven't seen for at least think. I show up on the day, six months. I spend more walk around the stalls and dis money than I should buying plays and talk to people about rope, books and tools from the what they are doing. The stall Guild Traders. Behind this table holders get nailed to the floor is the raffle books and Steve tending their stalls and the or Judkins signing copies of his ganisers get continually side book and asking only for dona tracked getting water or cups or tions to the RNLI. milk for the coffee etc. Boat This little book, KNOTS AND house No. 6 was a huge space, SPLICES by Steve Judkins and wide and tall, to be in! It was 1 Tim Davison, (64 pages, 11 / 2 built to work on the great masts X 17 cm), from Femhurst of the tall ships of yesterday. As Books (High Street, Arundel, the public came in at the gate West Sussex , BN18 9AJ) they were given a handout tell packed with 201 beautiful and ing them about the Guild and easy to follow illustrations and where we were on a map. text, deals with modem rope in KNOTTING MATTERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 35 NEW BOOK island. Alex MCardle of the KNOTS Hampshire Guild of Weav ers/ Spinners and Dyers was AND using a portable weaving SPLICES machine with 4 shafts that carries 8 Heddles and each Heddle carries a thread. The pattern is determined by which Heddles are moved up or down. Alex just kept talking as she sat weaving away. Next to her was Elizabeth Happ, using a travelling spinning wheel. She showed me how easily it folds right a clear and concise way. The up into a 'briefcase' with a chapters cover the ten knots handle. Elizabeth was spinning everyone should know, other up some Jacob fleece into yam useful knots, splices and whip and people could have a go, pings. great. It was good to meet and talk to Steve, an interest ing man to listen to. He gave us a Mem bers Profile to the meeting and for KM. One of the best parts about coming to Guild meetings are the demonstrations and explanations by people doing the work I'd like to be able to do if I was ship- wrecked on a desert Europa Dawson speaking to Alex MCardle 36 KNOTIING MATIERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 Icicle Hitch and George Aldrige's Versitackle. With a meter long chrome plated pole, he asks you to tie a non slip knot for this cub that has just moved into his cub camp tent and wants to hang a bag from the tent pole? "Oh yea." says 1. "I can do this, gi'me some rope!" "Enough to hang yourself SIr.. ?" " What? What did you say?" "Oh nothing sir, you were about to....???" Well, I should have known I was going to learn some thing from the slick way he just encouraged me into Elisabeth Happ and her wheel making a FOOL of myself. Dave Williams had a display Margaret said, "You don't need of Woody's Knots. Dave also any help to do that dear." She gave me three years worth of says that so sweetly that I'm not Woody's Knot for KM. You sure if she is yanking my chain can see the first one in this is or trying to pet me! sue. John shows me a hands-on Derek Chipperfield had a way of tying the Icicle Hitch. good display of knot boards "Just a pile hitch with a few ex covering a whole table. tra internal turns." He says. Bob Stroud's bell pulls, light Well, it seemed simple pulls and knotwork was im enough when he was showing pressive. me how, but it's not so easy sit John Smith, of the London ting here trying to remember! Branch, was doing a very enter John attaches the cord to the taining demonstration of the other end of the pole via a versi- KNOTTING MATTERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 37 tackle and pulls it tight, very one can remember why I wrote tight, 'play-a-tune-on-it' tight. . that in my notes I would appre "Pull the versitackle down (i.e. ciate being reminded. away from the load) to tighten it Mr. T. Weeks, from Dorset and pull the end up (i.e. towards displays his knot boards and the load) to release the self demonstrates how to use that locking pulley." John explains stiff water pipe lagging foam as he demonstrates. tubes to make turksheads. He On John's back is a list of just pushes pins into the foam FLYING knots! OOPS, there each time he reaches the end of goes another flying pig. a twist around the tube and has "No, really. Remind me of the to turn back down the tube for list and I'll show you." He says. the next twist. When he gets to So with the ends in each hand the point where he needs to start he throws, twirls, swings or going under as well as over, as rolls a Flying Anglers Loop you do when making turk (looks like a perfection loop to sheads, the tube is stiff enough me John?), a flying Tugboat to hold the cord secure. What a Bowline, a Half Figure Eight, a good, cheep idea, a 'round' 3/4 Figure Eight, a Flying Pile static knot board!! Hitch, a Self forming Snug Hitch. By the way, if you ever meet John, ask him to show you his FLYING BOW LINE, it's a win ner!! I have a note in my book at this point that says "Brian Toss, 'Riggers Appren tice' STROP CYCLE'. If any Mr. T. Weeks and display of pipe-insulator formers. 38 KNOTTING MATTERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 Ken Yalden called the rabble list has gone to the printers. to order for the business meet (Full report included later.) ing and introduces Frank Harris Linda Turley gave the Treas to welcome everyone. Frank urers Report. All 'Deed-of thanks Ken and his helpers for Covenant' members are urged all there hard work and com to complete the form and return ments on the tremendous open to her. spaces we have for the meeting and displays. Ken ' has organised knot tying displays and demonstrations around the Historic dock Yard and the members serv icing them will be wearing ~ smocks and are known as the 'Smockmen', even the la dies. The light blue smocks are worn by Council mem bers while the 'Worker Bees' are in dark blue will be demonstrating to the public in other buildings to 'Sing for our supper' here on the Historic Dock Yard. I only managed to see Richard Hopkins in Boathouse No. 7 doing the Six Knot Chal lenge. Richard Hopkins with Six Knot Challenge and Nigel Harding gives the Sec Stuart Grangers Crown on display retaries Report, speaking for Nigel then proposed a change only 7 minutes{!} and sits down. to the constitution that would The Guild now has over 900 alter the terms of office of the members and a new members Council members. Council members would be elected for a KNOTIING MATIERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 39 three year term and only one Gilwell in October? Someone third of the Council would be asked how this new Council re-elected each year. This would would be divided up into thirds? cut down having to vote on The new members would draw every member every year, a number out of a hat, 1, 2 or 3 making it simpler and quicker. and that would be their term for This would also improve conti this council. The one year terms nuity of the Council overall. would be re-elected next year Candidates should be noted to and the two years terms would the Secretary in writing at least be re-elected in two years. The 14 days before an AGM meet.. proposal was overwhelmingly ing. This is to make it less hec;. approved with only two against tic when a name has to be hand and one abstention. written on every ballot minutes Ballots where distributed as before a vote is taken. Maurice the candidates were asked to Smith asked if this might cause stand and be recognised. The a problem if not enough people results are the members below: came forward? Ken Yalden an Linda Turley - Treasurer swered that in these days of Nigel Harding Secretary telephones people can be called Colln Grundy and asked. Glad Findley says its Brian Field a brilliant idea, lets get on with Charlie Smith it. DenisMurphy asks if a Bruce Turley postal vote of all .members David Walker couldn't be used. Every mem Jeff Wyatt ber should have the opportunity Ken Yalden to vote on the business of the During the counting two Guild not just those that come members came forward to give to the meeting. Nigel thinks profiles of themselves. there is never a good response The first was Don Bellamy. A to postal votes but this is a dif local man, he first became in.. ferent subject to what we are terested in knots in Scouts and voting on here and perhaps this often doodles with bits of could be discussed in KM and string. He was given a copy brought to the next meeting at Geoffrey Budworth's 'Knot "'",,"'>""","'''' M "'. ,IT'''''" 58 - JANUARY 1998 Book' and joined the Guild from the address in the back of the book. He has also been en couraged by Brian Field at MaIden. His main interest is very general fancy turksheads. Don also does up old boats here at the dockyard also as a committed Christian he does Church work. We stopped by Bemard's ta ble and admired his wonderful knotted frames including his newest one, a Diana Memorial Frame. Then Paul Cook mod elled Stuart's Rope Crown for Paul Cook wearing Stuart Graingers this photo. crown, from which he then designed the large one. Bernard Cutbush and Capt. Bill Sparks with some of Bernard's many knotted frames, including the Diana Memorial Frame. KNOTTING MATTERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 41 Bob Srtoud and his display of Bell Ropes and Turk sheads. Derek Chiperfield's display of Fenders \ and rope Knot Boards was the heavier end of the knot tying profes sion. Some of those bigger fenders did weigh a bunch. Later I got this photo of Derek (left) demonstrating to Ben Selfe the an swer to the question of "How do L ....?" Sometimes the best way to answer the question is to "Show me." 42 Here Geoffrey Budworth is busy talking to one of the public that did find us and enjoyed what we had to see and do. Geoffrey is h{lppy amongst his books and gorgious wall hangings. Ken Higgs is here demontraighting how to do Braiding on a Disc or Perovian Plating or Japanees Braiding depending mwho you learned it from. Ron Long and his display of knot boards and many dif ferent types and styles of boat fenders.7 Fred Watkinson showing Margaret Boggs his "Chip-in-a-Bottle"and the rest of his interesting and unusual work. Now that's my knid of humor. 44 KNOTTING MATTERS 58 - JANUARY 1998 TWO PYLQN HITCHES Pylon hitch is secured the hitch by OwenK Nuttall will hold even without weight Here are four hitches, two Py.. on the standing part. Ion hitches and two hitches based on the Figure of Eight. first Pylon hitch is easy to and secure if weight is kept on the standing part. After fig pull On the standing part to pun the top loop down. When top loop is pUlled down, se"'" The second two hitches both cure by seesawing the standing formed With dOUbling the Fig"'" part. (Allow for intial slippage) ure of Eight. Fig 3 has starting ends On opposing sides and Fig 4 has ends on the same side. After doubling both of the above hitches the ends finish on the same side irrespective of which side is doubled first. After doubling each side of the figure of eight to the centre of The Tucked Pylon hitch is se the knot over the top of the cured the same way as the first working ends, slip the loop over Pylon hitch. When the Tucked a spar or pile. Both hitcheS KNOTTING MATTERS 60- JULY 1998 45 need to be worked tight by area like straw, feathers, Corn pulling each end in turn. husks or even dried seaweed. Finally tighten by seesawing Mattresses were stuffed and laid each end to complete the fin directly onto a bed frame; one ished knot-Both hitches are the style of bed frame that seems to Same on the reverse side, each have been in common use was a should hav~ four round turns rope or corded bed. The one lying parallel and each end drawback was that they had a coming out of the loop in the tendancy to sag and would have 'two tums on each side'. to be tightened up once or twice Both of eight a year. could be situ, but To make a rope bed you would be time consuming ply build· a frame to the dimen... difficult. Both the Figure sions you need that has four end loops are very secure posts and four side Bore when tightened. I find the four a row holes through side.. useful for different boards, spacing them nine to fun tying inches apart. They should be directly opposite other on the paired sides. Now you are from 'Knot ready to begin the actual fope Americas Branch weaving. Begin at the from their March news- board and string the bed lengthwise as shown in the gram. When the last hole in the headboard filled, bring the by Marty "v.....,o Now we have mattresses with rope around the bed post to the names like Serta, Sealy and first hole in the side of the bed Kingsdown. There also and begin the over and under Buckwheat form fitting pillows weaving. When the last hole help us a good nights filled, loop the end of the rope around the sideboard and tie it It wasn't like securely to one of the laced peolPle used to sleep what ropes. ever was had in their local I remember sleeping on a bed tight enought to act as a ridge One of the back rooms at my pole. grandmother's house. It had There are several caUtions to holes driIledalong the side~ be considered. First, avoid any boards but I thought was loop knot that becomes difficult some kind of decoration. There to untie after tension is applied. wasn't any rope on it because it Even some of the loop had been modified for a set of knots will become a problem springs. So if you see a bed when wet with rain. Untying with holds along the the knot is important so the rope sideboards an antique shop or can be used for other things museum, there a chance it has served purpose. at one time a bed. if you intend to break camp, hike down a and re ... use the rope for the same An KNOTIING MATIERS 60- JULY 1998 47 a to fric:tion, and applied tree the effects, f'oi-",,,rI approaches and all will be wen. finish: If is en()uJ1~h To ridge loop, a rope to go back around the sec'" overhand knot in the and tree, do so, and put two half before the sec hitches in close the This Pull a 'bight' through the preferred method as the crossed part of the knot, as tornaintain while putting in the two half hitches in at the ridge loop, as "h"''''''ri the sketch. the bight pulled thriou~~h and the loop formed The drawback to this as you want pull method that the two half two ends of the rope hitches will be difficult to- undo. snug, (Also known as Another good place to use two an. Artillery Loop or a Manhar~ half hitches? Sure! a great ness Knot which was used to fasten the beginning of mainly for utility as a means the rope around the first tree. 48 KNOTTING MATTERS 60- JULY 1998 Guild Supplies Price list 1998 Item Price GiOlh't Budwolttl Knolklre • mlVWrIY 04 quotes from lad lJfJd ti::Iion <2.50 M\.dl Ado AboU! Knottng fisbycl ths IsI 10~ oIlt1e GuId "-50 • ""''''''' .... "" Brwa'Upl1e 0esignI <2.., --Coo iQI>I" 'll Cfoues ".., Ef1C frwtldln ~!he Tulliilio...' WlJ'f £:1.50 • "-00 . 5...... Gf1l!nger -- £3_60 • """"'" £'-30 T...... HNdA/l.~~ £2.20 • CAlil~- RopterIiIl Hardback £9." Knotted Fabrir;$ Hardback price Indudes UK /10$/896 £9.00 John HIlIIt.. Somelhklg Different wittl OVlIr 50 Button Knots £3.20 • CollnJones The DIY BooIl 01 F.!lden; H..old 5cott On VariolA Crudorm Turks Heads Vol. 1 <2.50 On Various Crudorm Turks Heads Vol. 2 ".00 "'KT Knotting Man.rt; Cllflieo '" pe' ediIicns <2.50 (Some ~sr fJditIons .v_bIB . CCW'llad fhfI S8crIlarr for del'b} • bIAk ~ cl __ ilemI • ...utIIe It.~. phone Icw delailt CheQue$ payable to IGKT. Of sIrIllIY 5Imd .,..,.,.. credit Qlrd details PS Don' Iorget 10 doW !or PosIave SuppUes secretary:- Bruc. Turley 19 WIndmill Avenue, Aubefy, Birmingham B45 9SP emalll060n.11560compuaerve.com. Telephone; 0121 453 4124 Printed by Gipping Press, Needham Market Tel: (04491721599 Fax: (04491721372