A Knot A Day: 365 Knot Challenges for All Abilities

By Nic Compton

This beautifully produced compendium gives you a knot challenge for every day of the year. With hundreds to choose from, all colour coded by use, you can work through the book from start to finish, gradually building on your knowledge as you go, or alternatively dipping in and out for your daily knotting fix.

Covers:
- all the essential knots
- useful hitches, bends, whippings and splices
- handy knots for making outdoor items: plant hangers, harnesses, tree swings, rope ladder
- mini knot craft projects: cool keyrings, friendship bracelets, belts, mats
- magic 'trick' knots: escapology knots, vanishing knots, travelling knots
- freestyle knots: have a go at the 'thrown bowline' (an old cowboy trick)
- everyday fashion knots - new ways to tie your shoelaces, scarf, or even your tie!

You won't escape this book without learning something, and you won't put it down without picking up an interesting fact or useful technique. Give it a month and you'll be a knot tying fanatic; give it a year and you'll be a knotting supremo!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Dec 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781472985170

Nic Compton

Nic Compton was deputy editor and then editor of Classic Boat from 1996 to 2000. Since then, he has travelled the world as a freelance writer/photographer.

Book preview

DAY

1

Overhand loop

This quick and easy loop is the perfect introduction to tying knots! With this method you can form a loop anywhere in a rope. An overhand loop may be simple to make, but beware of pulling it too tight as it’s likely to jam and become a more permanent installation.

1 Put a bight in the line. This can be at either end of the line or any point in between.

2 Put an underhand loop in the bight.

3 Tuck the bight into the loop.

4 Adjust the size of the bight to suit, and tighten the knot.

DAY

2

Overhand knot

This is so simple, it’s probably one of the few knots most of us can tie with our eyes closed. However, the DNA of the overhand knot runs right through many of the more complicated knots we will visit later, so it deserves a place in this book.

1 Form an overhand loop.

2 Tuck the working end in the loop.

3 Tighten the knot. Well done, you just tied the knot that helped rig a thousand ships!

DAY

3

Slipped overhand knot

The obvious solution for a jamming knot is to insert a drawloop to make it easier to untie, which is where the slipped overhand knot comes in. Just pull the working end to undo the knot.

1 Form a loop in the usual manner (see Day 2) and put a bight in the working end.

2 through Tuck the bight the loop, adjust the size of the drawloop, and tighten the knot.

DAY

4

Thrown overhand knot

Ok, so you’ve mastered the mother of all knots, but can you tie it one-handed? Challenge your friends to do the same, and watch them wriggle their fingers around like demented spiders. Then, calm as a tarantula, perform this little trick.

1 Hold your hand up, palm out, and hang the line in the crook of your thumb.

2 Reach your fingers around the line in front and hook the line at the back onto your middle finger.

3 Pinch the line between your middle and index fingers, and allow the loop around your hand to fall down.

4 Tighten the knot with a sharp flick. The result is a slipped overhand knot – and your first ‘thrown’ knot!

DAY

5

Reef knot

The reef knot is one of the oldest and most symbolic knots in existence. It’s also fundamentally unstable and relies on being pressed against something for its security. This is why it’s brilliant for tying together packages etc, but extremely unreliable for ‘bending’ together two unsupported lines.

1 Pass right over left, and under. Overlay the two lines as shown.

2 Left over right and under... passing the ends around each other again, but in the opposite direction to the first twist.

3 Tighten the knot by pulling both adjacent parts in opposite directions. Both ends should emerge on the same side of the knot.

DAY

6

Granny knot

This is the knot that all knot-tyers love to hate. Almost identical to the reef knot, it’s much less reliable and more likely to jam. This is the knot you must NOT tie.

1 Left over right followed by left over right… It starts off looking almost identical to a reef knot.

2 Tighten it, and you get this messy bundle.

DAY

7

Simple plant hanger

This is the perfect beginner’s knot-tying project. All you need are four pieces of string, three simple knots (which you’ll find in the book), and a calm head. It’s quick to make and the results are disproportionately satisfying.

1 Cut three lengths of string 60in (152cm) long, and tie them onto a ring using a girth hitch.

2 Tease the strands into pairs and tie a reef knot in your first pair, about 7in (18cm) from the ring.

3 Repeat for the next two pairs.

4 Tie another reef knot, 3in (7.5cm) down from the previous one, to the nearest neighbouring string. You’ll need to turn the piece over for the third knot.

5 Tie the loose ends off with an overhand knot.

A 7in (18cm) pot fits nicely into this design.

DAY

8

Bottle carrier

It’s the eternal dilemma: How do you carry four bottles of beer and a bag of chips? All you need is about 6ft (1.8m) of line and some basic knots, and you too can be the coolest dude on the beach!

1 Tie an overhand knot in the middle of a 6ft (1.8m) length of line, and tease it apart as shown.

2 Slide the line around and between the bottles as shown, until it’s an inch or so from the bottom.

3 Tie another overhand knot, slide it down between the bottles and tighten.

4 Tie another overhand knot, but this time around the neck of the four bottles, as far down as it will go.

5 Tie another overhand knot, slide it down between the bottles and tighten. If you’re of a nervous disposition, you might want to tie a reef knot at this point, otherwise continue to Step 6.

6 Tie another overhand knot in the two ends to make a handle, and off you go!

DAY

9

Double overhand knot

Slightly more complicated than the overhand knot is the double overhand knot, which makes for a much more interesting-looking fixture. Perhaps that’s why it was used on the ends of a cat-o’-nine tails and other whips, thereby earning itself the alternative name of ‘blood knot’. Shudder…

1 Tie a ‘simple’ overhand knot.

2 Pass the working end through the loop a second time, going in the same direction as the first turn.

3 Tighten the knot to form a neat, square ‘X’.

DAY

10

Trick double overhand knot

There’s no real reason to tie this knot – it’s much harder to tie than most other stopper knots and not any better – apart from the satisfaction of tying a very pretty little knot.

1 Tie an overhand knot, but pass the working under the standing part at Step 1 to create an ‘underhand’ knot. Slip your finger through the knot.

2 Pass the working end through the knot a second time, going through both loops and laying the line snug between the two crossing strands.

3 Keep the knot as tight as possible as you slide it off your finger, being careful not to lose its shape.

A double overhand knot with a difference.

DAY

11

Figure-eight knot

The figure-eight knot may not be any bulkier than the overhand, but it’s much easier to untie and equally as strong, so is often the stopper knot of choice for sailors. Also known as the Flemish knot, it forms the basis of several other, more complicated knots.

1 Put an underhand loop in the end of the line, and pass the working end around the standing part.

2 Tuck the working end under and up through the initial loop.

3 Tighten the knot by pulling the end and the standing part in opposite directions.

DAY

12

Slipped figure-eight knot

Although it’s unlikely to get jammed, the figure-eight knot still requires a few moments to untie. The addition of a drawloop in the final stage allows it to be untied almost instantaneously. Handy if you’re in a hurry.

1 Form an underhand loop, pass the working end around the standing part, and put a bight in the end of the line.

2 Tuck the bight up through the initial loop, to create a drawloop. Adjust the size of the bight, then tighten the knot.

DAY

13

Spiral bracelet

It’s the simplest knot in the world, and yet even the humble half hitch can come alive with the help of some brightly coloured twine. Turn off the TV, put on some music, and you’ve got your evening’s entertainment right here in your very hands.

1 Cut three lengths of coloured twine, each about three arm’s length long. Fold them in half and tie an overhand loop in the bight. Attach securely.

2 Tease out one of the strands, pass it under the other strands, and tuck it under itself. Holding the other strands tight, slide the knot up until it reaches the top. That’s your first half hitch!

3 Repeat the process, and the line of knots will naturally spiral round the other strands. Once you’ve completed a full rotation, put the strand back and carry on with the next colour.

4 Try the bracelet out for size. When you reach the length you need, tie an overhand knot at the end.

5 Leave enough length to pass the end through the original loop and tie it on someone’s wrist.

DAY

14

Improvised awning

Whether you need an impromptu sunshade or to repair an awning where an eyelet has ripped out, this knot provides an easy and effective way of tying rope onto cloth. Rig a ridge line down the middle and you’ve got yourself an instant tent.

1 Twist the corner of the cloth and fold it back.

2 Pass the line through the fold.

3 Wrap the line around the fold and over itself.

4 Wrap the line three times more, working your way down the fold.

5 Pass the end of the line under the standing part.

6 Tighten the knot.

DAY

15

Overhand bend

It’s the mother of all bends; a knot so simple that even Bronze Age man used it 5,300 years ago. Yet it’s still ranked as more secure than many later, more fancy inventions. That said, it is only recommended for use with the small stuff, such as whipping twine and similar.

1 Place the two lines to be joined side by side and make an underhand loop.

2 Tuck the ends in the loop to make the bend.

3 Tighten the knot by pulling the two parts in oppositedirections.

DAY

16

Figure-eight bend

If the overhand bend (Day 15) isn’t as secure as you’d like it to be, then try the figure-eight bend. Unlike a simple overhand knot, it can almost always be untied and is perfect for quick, easy way of tying two lines together that definitely won’t jam.

1 Tie a figure-eight knot in one of the lines, and insert the working end of the other line through the end loop.

2 Follow the lead of the first (red) figure-eight around the knot.

3 The working end should come out next to the other line’s standing part. Tighten the knot.

DAY

17

Round turn and two half hitches

As well as being simple and versatile, this is also one of the oldest knots in existence! It is a dependable old workhorse that can be put to good use on land and at sea – and probably in the air too.

1 Take the working end of the rope and wrap it twice around a fixed object – in this case a horizontal pole.

2 Pass the working end over the standing part, and tuck it between the two parts to create the first hitch.

3 Repeat the previous step to create a second hitch. Pull the standing part taut and work the hitches snug against the pole.

DAY

18

Seized round turn and two half hitches

Tied using traditional ropes, a round turn and two half hitches will probably outlive its tyer but modern cordage can be slippery, jeopardising the knot. Fear not! A seizing will transform this modest knot into a permanent solution.

1 Tie a round turn and two half hitches (Day 17). Make sure the knot is tightened before putting in the seizing.

2 Lay the working end next to the standing part and take several turns with some whipping twine. Tie off securely.

DAY

19

Vanishing knot 1: Slippery loops

This is a great way to start your (or your child’s) magic career in knots. Practise your moves – and your patter! – and your audience will believe you’re dragging the knot down the string. To add drama, you can tie several knots in a row.

1 Tie an overhand loop in your line.

2 Tighten and reduce the second loop so it’s only just visible.

3 Tie several knots in a row, to add drama. Note the loops should be positioned uppermost.

4 Run your hand down the line with a dramatic flourish.

Ta-daaa! The knots have vanished.

DAY

20

Tie 1: Four in hand

This is the classic tie knot used by schoolchildren and office workers the world over. And it does the job well enough – though it is a bit lopsided and rather on the narrow side. Use it to get into practice for the more interesting tie knots to follow…

1 Loop the tie around your collar with the wide end slightly lower than the narrow end. Pass the wide end over and under the narrow end.

2 Pass the wide end over the narrow end again.

3 Pull the wide end up between your collar and the tie, with the seam facing outwards.

4 Slip the wide end down through the loop you made earlier, seam facing towards you.

5 Tighten the knot by pulling the wide end, and adjust the tie by sliding the knot up and down the narrow end.

6 The four in hand is essentially a modified buntline hitch, used by sailors for centuries.

DAY

21

Figure-eight loop on a bight

Much loved by climbers, this loop is quick and easy to tie but has a tendency to jam. Which is perhaps why it’s never used by sailors, who usually opt for a bowline instead. Try both and see which works best for you.

1 Put a bight in the line and form a loop by passing the bight over the standing part.

2 Pass the bight under the standing part.

3 Tuck the bight through the original loop.

4 Tighten the knot.

No prizes for guessing why it’s called a Figure-8…

DAY

22

Matthew Walker loop

Confusingly, there’s almost certainly no link between the legendary Matthew Walker knot and this loop, apart from a vague similarity in the finished item. But it’s an easy ‘starter’ knot for making a loop on a lanyard.

1 Put an overhand knot in the bight of the line.

2 Pass the working end through the knot to form a bight.

3 Take a turn around the bight with the working end.

4 Pass the working end under itself and through the initial loop.

5 Tighten the knot.

DAY

23

Shoelaces 1: Ladder

There are all kinds of fancy ways of lacing your shoes. Why stick to the same old, same old? This one looks like a distant cousin of the barrel hitch.

1 Centre the lace, and run it through the bottom two holes. Thread each end through the second hole up – without crossing over.

2 Cross the ends over, and tuck them under the loop on the opposite side. Thread the ends through the next hole up – without crossing over.

3 Repeat the process until you reach the last hole. Now tie your bow.

DAY

24

Shoelaces 2: Noose

Bunny loops? Who needs them when you can tie up your shoes in 101 more exciting ways! This knot might look a bit silly, but it’s actually pretty effective.

1 Tie an overhand knot in the usual way, and make a loop with one lace. Wrap the second lace about halfway up the loop.

2 Keep wrapping all the way down the loop, until there’s just a tiny gap at the bottom. Poke the end through the gap.

3 Tighten the knot by pulling the working end and adjusting the loop.

DAY

25

Clove hitch

This can be tied onto just about any object, using any size rope. It can be tied in the bight, one-handed, in the air,