Simple Bell Rope Video Tutorial

Decorative
1

Hi Everyone,
I’m new to this forum although I started tying fancy knots over ten years ago. Never realised how many like minded knotters there were until I came across this site.

I’ve made a short series of videos posted on YouTube that walks through making a simple bell rope keychain.

I’ve attached two example’s of the simple bell rope key chains I’m talking about 'cause I haven’t figured out how to include the pics inline yet…

The original reference I used is the Bushcraft series of books by Ron Edwards. As an Aussie (from Australia) I was inspired to find a local author describe an age old craft. The bellrope keychain shown in the videos is based on the basic knots described in his books plus a couple of sketches of key chains.

Here are the youtube links, in sequence, to make the bell rope keychain:

Whipmaker’s Cracker Twist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAMseb6uO60
Matthew Walker Knot #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB4ja45o_KQ
Alternate Crown Sinnet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm7MAdugLUc
Wall Knot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1DKznsCdzo
Matthew Walker Knot #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs0rNaRkJmo
Manrope Knot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkSfQ6hMp4w
The Finished Bell Rope Keychain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=760wDfmpCuI

So there you go! Hope you like my little contribution. Suggestions, questions, comments welcome.
Cheers,
Paul

p.s. while I’m showing off (!!) I made a video from a bunch of photos I took of the work I did last month. I had fun making it and turned over 500 photos I took one morning into a stop motion video to get to the finished result. Hope you like it!
Some of my Knot Work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTnrgSJLvkc

IMG_3256.jpg

2

I like the whip cracker twist at the top. On many bellropes, that area of the work is just straight line. Personally that strikes me as ‘cheating.’ By replacing the straight cord with the twist, it really adds that little extra.

The tutorials were clearly filmed and easy to follow along. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Matt

3

Thanks mysticknotwork,

I find the whipcracker’s twist is still a little cheat over doing a plait but then you need to start with 3 strands at least… I have done a plait with 3 strands and then dropped the 3rd strand after the MWK. Just a nice variation to use a twist particularly to get started on.. and it’s easier than a lanyard knot plus a straight pair.

Thanks for the comments. I must say that I’m inspired by the work of JD and others.. removing the commentary in favour of a sound track tends to hide the fact that the tying process requires concentration and often leaves little expression in the voice for an entertaining monologue!! :slight_smile: Well, still developing my repertoire and hope to add some new material soon.
Paul