This is my first post and I'm a new member of IGKT. Please help me to find a source or reference for this knot in question. I've been looking for over a year now. It's not in ABOK. I haven't gotten an answer on Facebook. IGKTNA hasn't returned an answer. So far some have said they've seen this knot without reference, and some have sent pictures of somewhat similar different knots.
I discovered this knot looking for a triangular mat to cover the breasthook of my boat. It was derived from a 4x3 Turks Head, and is actually three symmetrically interlaced figure eight knots. I like to call it a Triangular Thump Mat.
I am afraid I can't help on whether this is a new knot or not, although I can say I've never seen it.
What I will say is it it absolutely beautiful, both in its internal elegance and its outward appearance, and a welcome addition (hopefully) to the range of mat knots.
Is there any special trick to tying it, or just start from a single figure-8 and go from there?
Thanks for your kind words. As far as tying, you can start with two figure eights in a line, and then weave at the center to start the third figure eight.
You may want to get in touch with You-Tuber named "MARSALA" who on 19 October 2019 made a video that looks similar to yours. He was inspired by a colleague from IGKT France.
@Christopher_Corfman thank you for sharing this design. I've made a copy in 16mm sisal and can confirm it's two same-handed figure-8 knots in series, then overlap the outer loops, and weave the final figure-8.
A lovely knot, would work perfectly around a jibstay/headstay deck plate.
I'm away on honeymoon at the moment (married my equally crafty wife on International Knot Tying Day a couple of weeks back!) so I don't have a sail needle and a sailmaker's palm with me, so the final finishing will have to wait till I get home.
shellback7, agree, and there’s a relationship: 2x3, 4x3, and then I believe the next iteration 8x3. Also I think it’s interesting where the 5 sided compartments lie in the two knots (and in the 8x3?).