Thump Mat
How to Make a Rope Thump Mat In this little tutorial you will learn how to make a traditional sailors thump mat. Originally the thump mat was used on sailing ships to protect the wooden decks of the ship from … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Decorative Knots
Bell Rope Small
How to make a Bell Rope (Black) There are many ways of making a bell rope. If you search this site How to Make a Bell Rope, you will see there are a number of posts on making a bell … Continue reading →
Quality Cordage Belgium
Quality Traditional Cordage Made in Belgium I was recently contacted by Edward De Wit, asking if he could send me some of the traditional cotton rope that he makes. Well, I have just opened the package and I can say … Continue reading →
Zigzag Hitching
How to Tie Zig Zag Hitching Covering Knot The zigzag hitch or the Zig Zag hitch is mentioned in Ashley’s Book of Knots #3610. This particular knot comes under the same category as Ringbolt Hitching. Initially these types of hitching … Continue reading →
Grafting Underhand
Decorative Grafting In this particular post I concentrate on Underhand Grafting, but there are a number of other variations of using Grafting as a decorative way of covering an object with your favourite cordage. The wonderful thing about Grafting, is … Continue reading →
Call of the Open Sea Book Review
Book Review L’appel du large This book, to me is superb, as it is packed with wonderful pictures of decorative knot work. Best Knotting Book for Inspiration The book is written in French and I do not speak a single … Continue reading →
Turks Head Bights Leads Passes
What Does Bights Leads and Passes Refer to on a Turk’s Head? When you tie a Turks head, you are whether you know it or not creating Bights, Leads and Passes. When you first start out tying a Turks head, … Continue reading →
Cheap Hacking Knife to Fine Rigging Knife
Check out Knotting and Tools Supplies for where to buy the hacking knife How to Make Your Own Rigging Knife OK a slight exaggeration of the heading there, as you will not need to make a rigging knife from scratch! … Continue reading →
Turks Head 4 Bight Long
How to Tie a 4 Bight Long Turks Head This particular method is a great way of wrapping an object with a long Turks Head. I often use a two bight version of this Turks Head, but find that if … Continue reading →
Turks Head Bracelet
How to Make a Turks Head Bracelet In this video tutorial, I will show how to make a Turks Head Bracelet, also known as a Nantucket Bracelet or a Sailors Turks Head Bracelet. This type of bracelet is relatively easy … Continue reading →
5 Bight 4 Lead Turks Head
Tying a Turks Head on Your Hand In this short video I will demonstrate how to tie a Turks Head using just your hands. There are a few different ways of tying a Turks Head, some of the ways involve … Continue reading →
Turks Head Hat Band
Multi Bight Turks Head Hat Band Often we buy a really nice hat, but it can always do with that little extra decoration to personalise it! So why not make a lovely Multi Bight Endless Turks Head Hat Band? The … Continue reading →
Toggle Button Knot
How to Tie the Toggle Button Knot This is probably one of the easiest of the button knots to tie. It also has a great characteristic of being “T” shaped. Because of the T shape of the knot, it makes … Continue reading →
Joining Paracord
How to Join Paracord – 2 Colours Snake Knot Knife Lanyard If you have ever wanted to make a nice knife lanyard using two different colours of Paracord, then maybe this method is for you. The photograph shows an example … Continue reading →
Decorative Rope Dog Lead
How to Make a Decorative Rope Dog Lead In this little video tutorial I will show you how to make a nautical style dog lead. The other thing that I do like about this dog lead is that it is … Continue reading →
Parts of a Rope
How to Recognise Parts of a Rope Parts of a Rope, Rope Terminology Knot Terminology Working End The end of the line that is being used to create a knot. Standing Part The end of the rope that is not … Continue reading →
Knot Craft and Rope Mats
Who is Des Pawson? Des Pawson stands as a global authority on knots and sailors’ ropework. Renowned as a researcher and historian, he’s authored numerous books and papers. Having operated the successful business, Footrope Knots, alongside his wife Liz, Des, … Continue reading →
Rattlesnake Knife Lanyard
Over-and-Under Heaving Line Knot The other day I was going to Ashley Book of Knots, came across knot number 541 and thought that the design would make a rather decorative lanyard on a knife. I felt rather pleased with myself … Continue reading →
Cutting Rope
Best Tool for Cutting Rope Yes, I know a knife!! However, one of the issues that I have is being able to cut the end of a rope squarely. Whenever I cut a rope with a knife I find that … Continue reading →
Ranger Bead Lanyard
Ranger Bead Lanyard – Pace Counter Lanyard How to use a Ranger Bead or Pace Counter Lanyard I am by no means an expert in this, but a little bit of research has given me the following answers: In order … Continue reading →