The InterKnot. Newsletter of the International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch. September 2010

Transcription

1 The InterKnot Newsletter of the International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch September 2010 New Local IGKT Chapter Article by Rusty Helms IGKT-NAB member A small group of IGKT members have launched a local chapter of the IGKT-NAB. Located in the Midwest in Central Indiana, we have chosen to be known as the Knot in the Middle Chapter. It seems only fitting for a Chapter so completely landlocked there is no navigable waterway to the rest of the world for hundreds of miles. The Half Yearly Guild Meeting in New Bedford gave us the excitement and momentum to go ahead and start the chapter. We were inspired by the enthusiasm of those we met from around the globe. Word of mouth, s and postings on Knotting web sites and Facebook Knotting groups were all utilized to get the word out. Most helpful was the information posted on the IGKT-NAB homepage by Guild member Don Burrhus. In retrospect, the biggest hurdle in communication was to get the date and location set. The inaugural organizational meeting was planned for Sunday, March 7 th. We are pleased to say that we met 17 strong. Special circumstances even provided attendees from California and Maryland. We scheduled quarterly meetings and plan to produce a small based newsletter after each meeting as well. We now have 3 meetings under our belt, having also met on May 23rd and August29th. Our final meeting for 2010 will be held in the Community Room of the Nora Public Library on the North side of Indianapolis from 1 to 4pm on Sunday, November 28, InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 1

2 Knot in the Middle Chapter (continued) For information and the address of the meeting location, please contact Rusty Helms All Guild members from any and all chapters and branches are always welcome. The address of the library is: Nora Public Library 8625 Guilford Avenue Indianapolis, IN Phone: (317) Ropework by: Jim Wolf Pictures by: Lily Morales ================================================================================= Ropework from the Caribbean On a recent trip to the Caribbean a fellow IGKT member found the following ropework. InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 2

3 Ropework from the Caribbean (continued) ================================================================================ IGKT Member makes lanyard for Eagle Scouts From Jon H. Waltz IGKT-NAB member: These are pictures (on the next page) of knife lanyards and scout knives that we give to scouters who have attained their Eagle Rank. I use the Knife Lanyard knot to make a lanyard for the knife and attach it to the clip end of the knife. The company that sells the knives ( address is wwwknifexx.com) will engrave the blade with the date of the scout's Eagle Board of Review. I'll sometimes have them engrave the handle with the scout's name. I do sharpen the knife before I present it to them. This is probably the first time the boy scout has had a sharp knife! InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 3

4 Jon H. Waltz is an Area District Commissioner, Mid America Council, Trailblazer District, Troop 242, Malvern Iowa. He lives in Red Oak Iowa and has been active in scouts for 32 years. Congratulations, Jon on a job well done! Editor s Note: If you teach or use knotting in a Scouting activity I d like to publish what you ve been doing. Please send your information to alexd_3@juno.com. ================================================================================= One Knot By Glenn Dickey IGKT-NAB member: How many times have you been to a function where you ve been showing your rope work and have been approached by a person who says, I don t know how to do knots and I can t learn. I ve looked at knot books, but they just confuse me. Obviously this isn t a person who will be excited about learning many different kinds of knots. Or what if you are going on a campout, are moving, or need to tie something down or tie something up? Sometimes you ll find yourself with an assistant who wants to help, but won t be able to learn a lot of different knots in a limited period of time. In each case, if the person is willing to learn, and with a knot they probably already know, they can have a positive knotting experience by using just one knot the InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 4

5 Overhand. Knowing how to use the Overhand knot will allow you greatly expand their knotting skills with a minimum of effort. However, while the Overhand is easy to tie, it does have some serious limitations. It can jam so hard that the only way remove it is to cut the rope. It can decrease the breaking strength of the rope by as much as 40%. Even when used correctly, it can still be difficult to untie. Consequently beginning knotters usually aren t encouraged to use the Overhand knot. But as long as you are willing to accept the limitations of the Overhand knot, it can solve a lot of problems for you. In this article I ll give some suggestions on how to use the Overhand knot with some variations to fulfill the need for a basic knot grouping. Basic grouping What do I feel is the basic grouping needed for most knotting situations? You ll need: 1) a knot (a stopper knot); 2) to be able to join two ropes together (a bend); 3) to tie onto something (a hitch); 4) a fixed loop (a loop knot); 5) and sometimes you ll need a loop that constricts (a noose). Combining these five ideas into various combinations will solve most knotting problems you have. The Basics the Overhand knot The Overhand knot is easy to tie. The working end is made into a loop and goes over the standing end and back into the loop, which makes it very simple to tie. I ve had overhand knots form automatically in rope and extension cords while trying to coil them for storage. I ve also had Scouts and 4-H kids accidentally tie the Overhand while trying to form another knot. The Overhand knot can be tied either right or left handed. A Stopper Knot (1) The Overhand knot can be used by itself as a Stopper knot, but it is usually too small to be used alone. Starting with the Overhand knot, you can make one more tuck of the end and make a good Stopper knot. I m showing the Oysterman s Stopper knot here. To make the Oysterman s Stopper knot, make a loop in one end of the cord. Then tie an Overhand knot over the standing part of the cord. InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 5

6 The next step is to bring the end of the line up through the loop. After bringing the end through the loop on the end, tighten up the knot. This will form a bulkier knot that can be used as a stopper knot. Stopper knots are used at the end of a cord to keep it from being pulled through a block or to keep the line from being pulled through a knot. Tying a Bend (2) While the Overhand knot isn t very good for joining two different sized ropes or cords together, it does work well with two ropes or cords of the same size. Joining two ropes or cord with a knot is called a Bend. I will show two bends using the Overhand knot to join the cords. The first Bend shown is the Fisherman s Bend(also called the Fisherman s knot). Step 1: To join two cords of the same size you use the Overhand knot again. Using one cord you will tie an overhand knot over the opposite cord. Step 2: To finish the knot you ll tie another Overhand knot over the other cord. Step 3: Once you have tied both sides, pull the two knots close together. Then pull on both ends to tighten the knots. This will complete the Fisherman s bend. Any force on one side will pull the knots together and tighten the knots. InterKnot June International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 6

7 The second bend is called the Water knot. It is formed by tying an Overhand knot close to the ends of two ropes. Step 1: Tie a loose Overhand knot near the end of one of the cords. Step 2: Trace the end of the other cord through the first Overhand knot. Follow the Overhand knot as you go. Step 3: After tracing the end of the other cord through the first Overhand knot, pull on both ends to tighten the knot. This completes the Water knot. Two Hitches (3) Sometimes you need to tie down something such as a tent or awning. Either will need to be held fast and also tightened occasionally. I ll show two hitches that can be adjusted. The first hitch is called the French Pulley. Step 1: To start, tie a loose Overhand knot on the line going into the stake or anchor point. Run the cord around the anchor point. Thread the working end through the Overhand knot. Step 2: With the working end tie another Overhand knot around the standing part of the rope that is closer to the load. Tighten both of the Overhand knots to finish the hitch. This is the French Pulley and is good for tying down a tent or shelter. InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 7

8 Continued in the next issue of the InterKnot The article on the Overhand knot will be continued in the next issue of the InterKnot. SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES & PICTURES FOR THE InterKnot Please submit written articles in MS Word Document or convertible document. If sending instructions for tying a knot please include black & white sketches with motion arrows would be easier to understand. Pictures are welcome but try to make sure that they are high-contrast black & white photos in jpeg format. Color Pictures are also welcome, but it increases the cost of publication significantly. Please send submission items to alexd_3@juno.com Include IGKT article on address line. Please Note Your Membership Expiration Date is shown on the InterKnot next to each member s name. will be in cover letter. InterKnot September International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch Pg 8 IGKT-NAB InterKnot C/O 4417 Academy Street Dearborn Heights, MI 48125