Confessions of a novice fancy worker

[sailormed]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

It's not just you .

+1

[UNCIVILIZED]

How about a tiny, sliding Turk's Head, right next to the Cow Hitch? Maybe a 3 or 4 strand one.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

How about a tiny, sliding Turk's Head, right next to the Cow Hitch? Maybe a 3 or 4 strand one.

What is a sliding Turk's head?

I still don't quite have a good grasp of some of the structures. Is the Double Lanyard a type of Turk's head? If it is #790, it looks like Ashley has woven it as a Turk's.

I am just trying one of those under the cow hitch and I will see if I can bury a few more strands in so I have something to work with.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

What is a sliding Turk's head?

I still don't quite have a good grasp of some of the structures. Is the Double Lanyard a type of Turk's head? If it is #790, it looks like Ashley has woven it as a Turk's.

I am just trying one of those under the cow hitch and I will see if I can bury a few more strands in so I have something to work with.

Well UC will no doubt explain his meaning but in the meantime, it's a straightforward Turks head that can be slid along the lanyard just like one might slid a Turks Head over one's hand or along one's arm.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Well UC will no doubt explain his meaning but in the meantime, it's a straightforward Turks head that can be slid along the lanyard just like one might slid a Turks Head over one's hand or along one's arm.

Ah, you mean an entirely loose one, than is fed on the lanyard?

[Seaworthy Lass]

I have tied a Double Lanyard (Diamond) near the cow hitch and inserted 2 lines doubled over, so now I have 6 to work with not 2.

I will weave a small section of Half Round Sinnet and a Matthew Walker (just because I really like those two ) and then I will try two lines of 3 strand crowns on top of each other.

I will join then with something, not sure what yet. The number of knots I am familiar with is still very limited. Any suggestions?

I am then stuck how to hide the ends of the 6 strands. How do I do this as invisibly as possible?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Ah, you mean an entirely loose one, than is fed on the lanyard?

but not too loose

[Scott Berg]

I made the same lanyard sampler; and yes, the star knot (my first!) was a bitch; much easier after you've made a few

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Scott Berg

I made the same lanyard sampler; and yes, the star knot (my first!) was a bitch; much easier after you've made a few

What made it worse for me was it was the first time I was following instructions via text. The diagrams helped, but not entirely. Most of my learning has been via Grog. In the end I found some helpful YouTubes. The Star knot (any number of points) is now a breeze.

I think understanding the basics first (such as what exactly a crown knot is) would have been very useful. I kind of dived in the deep end without that knowledge . It was an excellent training exercise though.

[gamayun]

Thanks for the fancy work, Seaworthy Lass, and the history on knot names! These posts are inspiring and are making me realize I shouldn't fret the outcome on the first attempts...

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by gamayun

Thanks for the fancy work, Seaworthy Lass, and the history on knot names! These posts are inspiring and are making me realize I shouldn't fret the outcome on the first attempts...

You're welcome .

If ever you despair, go have a look at the first photo in this thread again.
It wasn't the only attempt that ended that way .

It is a rewarding thing to do though and it has lots of practical applications. As well, it keeps my hands busy of an evening while watching movies. I am about to settle down and finish that second lanyard for the camera.

I will record the best online directions if anyone would like to give these knots a go.

SWL

[Seaworthy Lass]

I have spent some time hunting for online instructions. To my delight, I found although sailors are tending to abandon this skill/art, knot tying is alive and well amongst those using paracord for such things as lanyards, dog leashes and collars, belts, bracelets .........

Just Google "Paracord" and a whole heap of things come up.

My favourite instructions (simplest and clearest) are by a guy called Mark who presents YouTubes under the name of Paracord Guild. When I have struggled with written instructions and diagrams, he has instantly clarified things.

This is his video on how to tie a Multi strand Star Knot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx4xRCMtbLY&sns=em

[liveaboard60]

I do like that star knot..

When I was in the service I tied a bunch of fancy work to the railing on the 82' I lived on for a spell.. I used a roll of the international orange and white strands and it turned out pretty nicely.. Then of course it became my job to do the others - what do they say no good deed goes unpunished.. Still it is relaxing to do.. flk k

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Well UC will no doubt explain his meaning but in the meantime, it's a straightforward Turks head that can be slid along the lanyard just like one might slid a Turks Head over one's hand or along one's arm.

What he said.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by liveaboard60

I do like that star knot..

When I was in the service I tied a bunch of fancy work to the railing on the 82' I lived on for a spell.. I used a roll of the international orange and white strands and it turned out pretty nicely.. Then of course it became my job to do the others - what do they say no good deed goes unpunished.. Still it is relaxing to do.. flk k

Do you have any favourites amongst the ones you tied? Also any combinations that work well together? I am searching for inspiration.