The Knot Works on this page were created in 2012. Marlinspike Seamanship, Macramé, Decorative knotting, what do all these have in common? It is simply KNOTS.
Macramé, as we know it, dates back to the 13th century. The Spanish word itself comes from the Arabic word migramah meaning decorative fringe. The art itself was brought to Spain by the Moors during their conquest in 711 AD. It was later passed into Europe and became the art of the sailor.
Sailors spent many hours at sea with nothing to do and Macramé became their pastime. Rope was readily available and so was the time. The art form was simple as it used square knots and half hitches a technique that could easily be done aboard ship. Sailors quickly turned this art form into something called Marlinspike Seamanship. This new form was passed on as sailors made their travels.
They quickly learned that Marlinspike Seamanship could be used not only for fanciful covering but it had a purpose as well. The covering of knife handles to prevent slipping. The covering of bottles to prevent them from breaking. The making of bell ropes, ship rail covering, mats, rugs, beckets for chests etc. Whatever the sailor’s mind could conger up it was more than likely capable of being knotted.
During the American Civil war period, sailors were no different. While on Blockading Duty, there was much idle time so the sailors would turn to their art. Today the Navy still upholds the tradition of knotting and true Marlinspike Seamanship. You will find many fanciful decorative knotting aboard any ship of any country. Those versed in the art are true sailors. The tradition lives on through many living history units and the International Guild of Knot Tyers.
On this page you will find some of my Marlinspike Seamanship….. Enjoy, it will be updated after every creation.
Knotted Wooden Cane Covering
The Wooden Cane was covered using traditional Grafting, Square knots, Turks Heads and French Spiral style knotting. More detailed pictures below show the intricate Grafting mid way down the shaft of the cane, the Square Knot pattern applied on either side of the Grafting and the French Spiral style knotting used on the Top and Bottom of the cane. This project took 560 feet of Small Cotton Line, 185 feet of white and blue hemp line and 48 hours of work.
(Made 3/18/2012)
7 Inch Sailor's Needle Case
The needle case is very traditional to the seafairer. This needle case is made of bamboo and covered with Hemp line. The Turk's Heads are made with Cotton line. This project was done by hand and took 18.5 hours with 72 feet of line.
(MADE 1/24/2012)
14 Inch Knotted Bottle
The Knotted bottles were a form of fancy work produced by sailors. This bottle is covered with 298 feet of Hemp line and took 27.5 hours to make.
(MADE 2/13/2012)
16 Inch Decorative Monkey's Fist
The Monkey's Fist was used as an added weight at the end of a Heaving Line to help the line go further. This Monkey's Fist has 6 turns at the head and is at the end of a 13 inch lanyard. The lanyard is fancied with two Turks Head knots and a French Spiral style knotting. It is made out of 45 feet of 3/4" manila line and took 3.5 hours to make.
(MADE 4/21/2012)
14 Inch diameter Boat Bag
The Knotted Boat Bag was a utility type item used for storing of tools for the trade. The canvas bag was hand made and the handles are made from Manila line. This project has 30 feet of cotton line and 9 feet of Manila line and took 28.5 hours to make.
(MADE 9/13/2012)
Soloman Knot Bracelets
The Soloman Knot Bracelet was covered using traditional Soloman or Cobra knot. Bracelets were used by sailors during the age of sail as a form of safety to provide a solid grip area in the event a shipmate were to fall overboard or from the sails. This project took 20 minutes and used 45 feet of Small Cotton Line.
(Made 5/19/2012)
Knotted Scissor Protective Case
The Square Knot Scissors Protective Case was covered using traditional Square knots. The case's inner linning is made from canvas in order to protect the outer edge. The cases were used by sailors during the age of sail and even in modern times in order to provide a secure methos of carring whatever tool was being used i.e. Marlinspikes, Knives etc. This project took 3 hours and used 2 square feet of canvas and 260 feet of Hemp Line.
(Made 6/18/2012)
Knotted Deer Antler Fid
The Deer Antler was covered using traditional Grafting.The covering of fids has been done by sailors during the age of sail and even in modern times in order to provide a secure grip while using the tool. This project took 4 hours and used 11feet of Cotton Line. The two turks head knots at each end secure the grip and the center knot is used for decoration.
(Made 8/4/2012)
14 Inch Knotted Bottle
This bottle is covered with 266 feet of Hemp and Cotton line using a Square-knot pattern as well as simple Grafting in the neck area of the bottle, It was finished off with two cotton line Turkshead knots. The project took 18.5 hours.
(MADE 9/2/2012)
14 Inch Knotted Bottle
This bottle is covered with 178 feet of Hemp and 11 feet of Cotton line using a Square-knot pattern as well as simple Grafting in the neck area of the bottle, It was finished off with two cotton line Turkshead knots. The project took 17.5 hours.
(MADE 9/20/2012)
15 Inch Knotted Bottle
This bottle is covered with 186 feet of Cotton line using a Square-knot pattern as well as simple Grafting on the body of the bottle, It was finished off with two cotton line Turkshead knots. The project took 18.0 hours
(MADE 10/28/2012)
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15 Inch Rose Knot Knotted This bottle is covered with 186 feet of Cotton line using a Square-knot pattern as well as simple Grafting on neck of the bottle. The body of the bottle has two rows of ROSE Knots and two
open diamond head windows. It was finished off with two cotton Turk's head knots. The project took 18.0 hours (MADE 12/26/2012)