Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Heavy rain mixed with snow all day today, not a problem because I have my new to me Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work.
Just WOW.
I wondered how they came up with three thousand knots, not computer-generated now I know, Many are works of art.
The Chinese button, mats and picture frames...
Paging through the book on my lap and googling the highlights, nice.
I have known some that made expired climbing ropes into spiral mats, stitched together.
#42 on plate 140, ornamental weaving that's what I want! And I have an old 50-meter x 11mm, very colorful...
The book gives some basics and youtube has the details. Edelrid (inventor of the kernmantel rope)provides printer-ready templates for a mat weave.
The book is dated 1958 and in pristine condition.
Thank you very much.
You might also want to check out The Marlinspike Sailor. Definitely a classic. I lean to working knots, which isn't to say I can't appreciate a beautiful work of art when I see it. And there are both aplenty in these pages... Wouldn't you know it, sailors have both covered! :-)
My EK&FRW is missing! I know it's not really missing. It probably got packed up last time we were thinking of selling this place, and put in storage.
Really happy you're enjoying the book.