The Book of Decorative Knots (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: lanyard knot, button knot, decorative knots, Chinese Button Knot, Turk's Head, Monkey's Fist (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This comprehensive book presents more than 60 beautiful--and functional--knots with clear, step-by-step line illustrations that explain each phase of the properly-tied knot. Includes lanyard knots for decorative braidwork, "Turk's head" knots for decorative handgrips, and more.

From the Back Cover

The Book of Decorative Knots illustrates over 60 beautiful - and functional - knots for a wide variety of purposes. This meticulously illustrated book presents each knot with clear, step-by-step line illustrations that explain each phase of the properly tied knot. 9:15 AM 9/21/01Included are lanyard knots for decorative braidwork, bowknots that make loops, 'Turk's head' knots for making decorative handgrips, button knots, sinnets, flat knots, and many, many more. (5 1/2 X 8 1/4, 144 pages, illustrations)

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155821304X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558213043
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,109 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good for beginers, March 21, 2000

By A Customer

The Book of Decrotive Knots, is a good book for those who have little experiance in tying fancy work. It's full of easy to follow drawings,that takes you through the entire process from begining to end. This is one book that should be followed by Ashleys "Book of knots" for it will wet most young persons appatites.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book, October 8, 2002

By	Russell M. Warner (Woodbridge, VA USA) - See all my reviews

I found this book to be a wonderful resource. It has clear diagrams for each knot, easily followed if one is a beginning knot tyer. It also covers knots not usually found in sailing and climbing (functional) knot manuals. This is a great starter book for those who are not certain they are "into" knotting yet, as it is quite inexpensive. Happy knotting!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice knotting book, April 25, 2007

By	Gillian Buchanan "Classical Music Editor at B... (London, UK) - See all my reviews

I bought this because of the instructions for the Monkey Fist knot. I saw these little buttons on sale in Liberty's of London some years ago and they were so pretty that I've wanted to learn them ever since but didn't know what they were called.

The book itself is a basic guide for decorative knots and it does require some time and patience to work out what some the diagrams represent and then what you're supposed to do as you tighten the knots. I spent a whole evening for example struggling with the eight turn bloodknot before realising that you twist it round itself as you pull it up until there is one twist for every turn in the knot. The diagrams were perfectly correct, the problem was the end user not knowing what would happen as the knot was tightened.

That said, the drawings are reasonably clear although you should as with any craft study them with care, but I wouldn't have said this was a book for the complete beginner. There are no colour photographs or pictures of finished knotwork to serve as inspiration, and the diagrams are all black and white line drawings. The book however is a good size for carrying around so that you can practise the knots on the move. It's softback and serves as a good introduction though you will probably soon start looking for more detailed material.