On the 14 October the Dorset Branch of the International Guild of Knot Tyers held its first ever meeting on-board the wonderful Tall Ship Pelican. The Solent Branch of the IGKT had a stand at this years Waterfest in Weymouth. … Continue reading →
The International Guild of Knot Tyers were invited to display and teach knotting skills at Waterfest Weymouth. What a fantastic couple of days it was too. This is one of those events where there is so much to see and … Continue reading →
Bosun’s Call Lanyard Knot In this tutorial you will learn how to tie a rather simple, decorative and beautifully symetrical knot in using two strands of a line. This can be done as a single and also a double, which … Continue reading →
What is Ringbolt Hitching Used For Originally Ringbolt Hitching was used to cover ringbolts etc in order to prevent a rope from chaffing against the hard steel. It can also be used as a decorative cover for rope-work, or even … Continue reading →
How to tie the Constrictor Knot In this short video I will show you how to tie the constrictor knot. The Constrictor knot has to be one of the most used knots, and is really a good knot to learn. … Continue reading →
How to Tie the Matthew Walker Knot I personally love the Matthew Walker Knot, it has a beautiful symmetry to it and looks superb in decorative knot work. Not only that, the Matthew Walker Knot can also be used in … Continue reading →
Here is a selection of useful knots to learn I often find that the most useful knots to learn, are often knots that Sea Cadets learn as part of their training. This post on Sea Cadet Knots, may be of … Continue reading →
How to Tie Cockscombing Here I have done a short video on Cockscombing. Originally Cockscombing was used to cover parts of a rope to protect it from chaffing. However these days it makes a splendid decorative covering, and each end … Continue reading →
A Chocolate Labrador Retriever called Bear OK nothing really to do with knotting, but I just wanted to introduce board followers to Bear. At the time of writing Bear is 10 weeks old and it is my plan to make … Continue reading →
How to Tie a Star Knot When I first saw the star knot, I was very reluctant to learn how to tie this. However, as my knotting skills improved, I felt that it may be time to learn how to … Continue reading →
Carrick Bend Tutorial The Carrick Bend is generally used when working with large hawsers or cable that do not easily create tight bends or tucks. The other good thing about the Carrick Bend is that it will not readily slip … Continue reading →
Sheet Bend Tutorial Make a bight as per the second picture below. The working end of the black cord passes under the bite and over the upper orange cord. The pass the working end of the black cord back under … Continue reading →
How to Tie the Bowline This is classed as a classic seaman’s knot, but evidence would suggest that the Bowline dates back to pre-historic times. At the bottom of this post I have also included a video: There is also … Continue reading →
First Ever Weymouth Waterfest The International Guild of Knot Tyers were luck enough to be invited to have a display at the Weymouth Waterfest 2014. The event took place over the weekend and the weather was glorious for the occasion. … Continue reading →
“Hot off the press” Current Archaeology features the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Sorry my pride took over for a second we were not so much featured but we did get a full page spread at the very back of … Continue reading →
I think the hardest thing about making the handle of the ditty bag is to make it different. I have done a number of rope handles for ditty bags and they all look fairly similar. So this time I decided … Continue reading →
From the title you will think that I have made it to the big time, a prop from Master and Commander or Pirates of the Caribbean maybe? Well sadly not, however this short film does include a hangman’s noose that … Continue reading →
How to Make Ditty Bag This blog post is dedicated to Blake my chocolate Labrador, who sadly passed away unexpectedly on the 22/07/2014 during the making of my Leather Ditty Bag. Blake would lay next to me outside; he would … Continue reading →
Making a Bell Rope (Tarred Line) After I made my first bell rope (Making a Bell Rope) I felt very pleased with what I had produced. I made the mistake of thinking to myself, OK have made a bell rope … Continue reading →
For those of you who were not able to attend the International Guild of Knot Tyers Annual General Meeting, here is an outline of the speech given by the incoming President; Antoine Leroy Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends, I have … Continue reading →
