Full Size Side Fender

Fancy and Decorative Knotwork
1

Over the weekend I decided to see how my skills on small cordage would work when a large item is made.

So I decided to make a full size fender!! The results are shown below.

This is not too bad for a first attempt, but I have the following questions.

  1. I feel that the knotting could have been a little tighter. Despite pulling with all my might, I still think it could have been tighter?
  2. This was made without a core - would incorporating a core make it tighter?

http://www.ridingtherhino.co.uk/Portals/0/Knots/Fender%20Lge.JPG

However once again I can confirm it works, as no ships have crashed into the garage!!!

2

Do you have your fids/marlinspikes yet?

Remember the tiny tool that I mentioned I use on my projects? You could do the same here.

looks like you were using crown knots there (sennit I believe). Once you’ve completed the sennit, go back through, inserting the fid/spike at the base of one the crown knots, on one side. Using your thumb to trap the line against your tool, pull towards you and up, do this all the way around, and then move up to the next layer. You’ll probably have to do this several times, removing small amounts of slack each time.

At least, this is what I find happening with my projects.

3

This was just using the brute force of my hands pulling!

I take it by the small tool you mean the one that looks like the end of a coat-hanger?

http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1910.0;attach=1532;image

I have to also say full respect and admiration to those that do it all the time. By the time that I finished my fingers were rather on the raw side!

4

Johnny

I shall introduce you to a heaving mallet or two, and a stitch-heaver on Sunday.

Ken.

5

Oh no!!! Just when I thought I had the full set of tools, you now suggest other tools.

I am really looking forward to seeing the work, the tools and the people that create the knots at Fort Cumberland in Southsea on Sunday.

6

Hello JohhnyDebt

I have some tool pictures on my website. Just e few tools…there are many more around which are not shown here.

http://home.tiscali.nl/knotsandknottying/tools.html

have fun

Andr

7

Many thanks for posting your tools to view. I have also posted your link to the tool in a post currently called Tools.
http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=1910.msg13668#msg13668