killick6d ago

Knowing how to tie a useful knot is a skill that doesn't get much attention outside of sailing and rock climbing, but although I do neither of those things, I like learning new knots. They come in handy in the garden, the kitchen, and any time I have to move something on or in a vehicle.

If you'd like to learn to be more handy with rope and string, I suggest this website, where you can learn new knots. You can easily go step by step, reverse, or even re-orient the knot to see how it looks from another angle. It's called "Animated Knots." They even have neckties!

https://www.animatedknots.com/

#knots

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Animated Knots is the world's leading site for learning how to tie knots of any kind. From Boating Knots, Fishing Knots and Climbing Knots to how to tie a Tie, or even Surgical Knots — we’ve got it covered.

Show threadStacey Cornelius 🇨🇦5d ago
@killick So. Cool. Thanks for sharing the link.
Show threadCabbidges5d ago
@StaceyCornelius @killick
Looking for bead knotting ie knots to hold beads in place on a string. I know there are tools for this but I think it can be done just with hands. Any suggestions welcome.
Show threadDec (slowed + reverb)5d ago

@TheDailyBurble @StaceyCornelius @killick
One or more of these might work:
https://www.animatedknots.com/stopper-knots
It will depend on the thickness of your string, and the holes in the beads.

Some of these knots only work well at the end of a line, but you will probably need straight path knots where the beads stop and start.

As for tools, most knots can be tightened and loosened by hand, but you can get them tighter with a marlinspike.
My marlinspike is one end of a small plastic crochet hook, sharpened.

Stopper Knots

Stopper Knots. A selection of the knots commonly used as Stopper Knots at the end of a piece of rope. They range from the simplest Overhand Knot to the larger and more elaborate Ashley Stopper Knot.

Show threadCabbidges5d ago

@dec23k @StaceyCornelius @killick

I'm sorry to niggle, but the thing with beading is to keep the knot hard against the bead whilst tightening it, which I have kind of done with a toothpick. I rather fancy sailors would have had similar problems with buoys, anything round that has to be tight to one side on a round thing.

It's not a two ends and tie it thing, it's a loopy and hold thing, sorry best I can describe and I'm sorry to be annoying.

Show threadDec (slowed + reverb)

@TheDailyBurble @StaceyCornelius @killick
I don't know enough about beading to know exactly how tight is tight enough, but I'm assuming that you need to have one length of line, many beads, each one being held securely by knots in the line, with line (not knotted) through each bead.

The tricky bit might be in making "tight to one side" add up to "tight to both sides" of the same bead and still be able to repeat the same with more beads on the same line. A toothpick might not be the best tool.

Jul 17 at 12:14amWeb
Show threadCabbidges5d ago

@dec23k @StaceyCornelius @killick

Yes, that's it, it's almost physics. Because the beads are round your normal knots are always loose because you only have one end to tighten from. I'm sure this problem has been solved our we wouldn't have tight beadwork through the ages.

Show threadDec (slowed + reverb)5d ago

@TheDailyBurble @StaceyCornelius @killick
Ah, I think I get it now.

The basic 'unit' of beads is a string of beads that are all on the same line, bead touching bead (for the most part) and a stopper knot at one end, with rows or circles (or other combinations of that basic unit) adding up to the finished article. Throughout construction, the line is not intended to be seen, but it's holding the beads together nicely, so tighter is better.

I had been assuming single beads spaced along a line.

Show threadDec (slowed + reverb)5d ago
@TheDailyBurble @StaceyCornelius @killick
Some of the more complex button knots need a lot of work with dressing (tightening) to go from "a neat set of loops" to "oh wow is that button really part of the rope", especially with a Monkey's Fist or Turk's Head knot.
A simpler stopper knot might have enough 'slack' that you can get the knots snug enough to both sides of each bead, add a bead, and repeat. That will also depend on the line that you use.
Show threadCabbidges5d ago

@dec23k @StaceyCornelius @killick

I just kind of wish that lovely knot site had a beading bit. The stopper knot (and toothpick) looks probably close.

Show threadDec (slowed + reverb)5d ago

@TheDailyBurble @StaceyCornelius @killick
That site (and a handful of YouTube channels) is the reason why my box of assorted offcut/spare strings/laces/ropes is now a box of assorted zipper-pull toggles and Prusik Hitches and Soft Shackles.

I have just enough basic knots in my head so when I need to lift or secure stuff, I can usually bowline or shackle my way out of trouble (and get the main rope back untied when the job is done).
For more complex situations I might need to learn a new knot.

Show threadCabbidges5d ago
@dec23k @StaceyCornelius @killick that's it.