Knot Craft [Paperback]

Des Pawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2004

Des Pawson has been a professional ropeworker for more than 25 years. His passion for knots goes back to the time when, aged 7, he was given a book with some knots in it. He has studied knots and sailors' ropework ever since. Over that time he has built up a number of recipe books containing the information required to make each item, whether it is a key fob, fender, mat or knife lanyard. Des Pawson's Knot Craft contains a selection from those recipe books, giving the reader the basic designs, illustrating which knots and sennits are used to make them. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to put the knots together as well as the size and lengths of materials required. Many books have been published on how to tie practical knots but not many books give help in putting the knots together to make an object.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Des Pawson is one of the world's leading authorities on knots and sailors' ropework. A researcher and historian on the subject, he is the author of many books and papers. Des also runs a successful business, Footrope Knots, with his wife Liz. Des is available for talks and demonstrations, while Footrope Knots sells a wide variety of handmade knotted items, crafted by Des and Liz,as well as the books, tools and materials for those wishing to create their own knotted items.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Paradise Cay Publications; 2nd Edition edition (June 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939837633
• ISBN-13: 978-0939837632
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb and unique craft guide, December 8, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knot Craft (Paperback)

Written by a professional ropeworker of 25 years experience, and the co-founder of the International Guild of Knot Tyers, Des Pawson's Knot Craft is a step-by-step breakdown of how to apply knots, materials, and hands-on skill to create bellropes, key fobs, mats, doorstops, kinfe lanyards, belts, and more. Extensive black-and-white illustrations by Ann Norman deftly walk the reader through the basic steps of each project. It should be stressed that Des Pawson's Knot Craft is primarily a craft and creation book; though the novice knot-worker receives instruction in many basic ways to tie, it is not specifically an instruction manual for the myriad nuances of seaman's knots. A superb and unique craft guide packed with ideas for inexpensive homemade gift projects.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite knot book, December 4, 2009

By 

JD "I yam what I yam and that's all what I ya... (Slapout, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knot Craft (Paperback)

First of all, I don't understand "D. Hill's" review of this book, as it is my favorite (and I have ALL the well known books on the subject of knots, from the great Ashley Book of Knots to Stuart Grainger's books, Hervey Garrett Smith's, Geoffrey Budworth's,etc., etc.) and full of "recipes" for different decorative and useful objects instead of just how to tie particular knots (which this book also does). I even used it as a guide to make all my Christmas presents last year! From front door mats to key fob stocking stuffers to fenders for a friend's boat. I turned the binocular strap into an eyeglass holder for my grandmother (as well as for it's intended purpose for a friend), made the square knot belt for my brother, made the bell rope for a light pull cord for myself, a set of place mats, glass coasters and napkin rings out of the ocean plait mat and some turk's heads and covered my niece's car steering wheel with French whipping!

ALL of the projects were easy to follow with the instructions as well as the superb drawings that made the knots more clear than even Hervey Garrett Smith's excellent artwork (and anyone who has The Marlinspike Sailor in their library knows what a statement THAT is!).

I highly recommend this book and hope that Des produces another that comes even half as good as this one is.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Des Pawson's Knot Craft, November 5, 2006

By 

Seid W. Waddell (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knot Craft (Paperback)

This is an excellent handbook of fancy knot work, from mats to coverings, fenders, fancy lanyards and utility rope work with a decorative flair. It also goes into making the tools required, and is well illustrated and it makes it easy to understand even complex projects.

Very well done, and I highly recommend this book as an inspiration for your creative projects.