Knot Now..   

The knot is, of course, not a knot but a "carrick bend", chosen here for its name rather than usefulness. In reality, it is an ancient way of joining two ropes (that is a bend - a knot joins the ends of the same rope) and its stability and utility are attested by the number of different names it has in different situations - cowboy knot (for riders), split knot (for knitwear), warp knot (for sailors) among others: its apparent complexity and symmetry have made it an object of decoration from early times and a great favourite with illustrators of military uniforms.

Formed from two overhand loops crossing each other, it was one of the most commonly used knots on old sailing ships, where it was often used to join large diameter hawsers and warps. For that purpose it is usually left in its flat form with the ends "seized" (secured by binding with turns of thin cord). Today, especially with modern synthetic ropes, it is less often used aboard ship because it can be difficult to untie when wet. When it is drawn up tight (with thinner ropes) it capsizes to a completely different shape, but still retains its strength.

The bend is not the only member of the Carrick family - here are some others:

Crossed carrick Double headed carrick

If you want to know more about knots in general, try:

"Knots" by Peter Owen (ISBN 1-85076-663-0)

(not just recommended because it comes from the "Apple Press"!)
or contacting the International Guild of Knot Tyers, 32, Coleridge Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 6DH.

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Updated, 4-March-1998

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