Knots

Since the first hunters tied a piece of fint to a stick, knots have been integral to human development. Today, we use knots on a daily basis, from tying our shoelaces to tying up packages, and while most people can get away with knowing how to tie only the most basic knots, expanding your knotting skills can be both useful and fun. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, then knowing how to tie a good knot is essential -- and could be lifesaving. This useful and satisfying skill can be practiced anywhere and at any time with just a length of cord. This book will give you a basic knowledge of the knots you need for camping, climbing, fishing, and boating, as well as a good selection for general use. Learn how to fix a fishing hook to a line, lash up a bundle of tent poles, keep the boat from drifting away while you go ashore, rig an emergency mast, and what to do with your shoelaces when you're hanging over a cliff. Specially commissioned step-by-step artwork alongside the author's instructions demonstrates clearly how to tie 100 different knots, while a short introduction to each knot tells exactly what it can be used for. Book jacket.

A member of the International Guild of Knot Typers, Richard Hopkins has been tying knots for a long time -- he was first taught by his father when only three years old. These early lessons became the basis of an interest in practical knots that hasn't waned since. Hopkins has written numerous articles on knots and outdoor pursuits over the years and his skills with a rope recently led to his inclusion in a team that reconstructed an Iron Age chariot for BBC television.