Bow Tie and Other Knots to Master
What knots do you know how to tie? A shoelace? A school tie? Having a knowledge of cordage is very handy for both practical and aesthetic reasons. In today’s blog, we’re talking the history of the knot. Plus, we’ll guide you through how to create such as the magnificent bow tie knot.
History of the Knot
A knot is an intentional complication in cordage for practical or decorative reasons (or both). Decorative knots include any that are used in art work. A combination of practical and decorative would be accessories like jewellery, ties, and bow ties: while the knot has aesthetic value it also stops the item from falling off the person wearing it. Practical knots, however, are classified by function, including:
- Hitch: a fastening of a rope to another object.
- Bend: a fastening of two ends of a rope to each other.
- Loop Knot: any knots creating a loop.
- Splice: any multi-strand knot, including bends and loops.
A knot also refers to a stopper or knob at the end of a rope to keep that end from slipping through a hole.
Knot tying skills have been past down for generations. Especially, by professions and hobbies such as: sailors, scouts, climbers, canyons, cavers, arborists, rescue professionals, stagehands, fishermen, linemen, surgeons, and bow tie enthusiasts. Additionally, The International Guild of Knot Tyers is an organisation dedication to the promotion of knot tying.
Components
There exists specific terminology for knot tying, check it out:
- Bight: any curved section, slack part, or loop between the ends of a rope, string, or yarn.
- Bitter End: the end of a rope that is tied off.
- Loop: A curve narrower than a bight but with separate ends.
- Elbow: Two crossing points created by an extra twist in a loop or a circle.
- Standing End: longer end of the rope not involved in the knot.
- Standing Part: Section of line between knot and the standing end.
- Turn: Curve with crossed legs.
- Round Turn: Complete encirclement of an object; requires two passes.
- Two Round turn: Circles the object twice; requires three passes.
- Working End: Active end of a line used in making the knot.
- Working Part: section of line between knot and the working end.
Bow Tie: How to Knot One
Now we know what goes into tying a knot. But, how do we do it? Let’s start by looking at the dapper bow tie.
- Hang the bow tie around your neck.
- Pass the longer end through the neck loop.
- Then, pass the shorter end to the right.
- Make a fold in the shorter end.
- Take the longer end down.
- Start folding the lower end.
- Pass it through the loop.
- Pull the back sides of the 2 loops.
- The bow tie knot is made!
Other Types of Knots You Should Know
- Square Knot. A type of end knot, this tie is useful for securing bundles and packages. What’s more, it secures bandages around wounds to stop the bleeding quickly.
- Bowline. One of the most important to know for emergency situations! Unlike the bow tie, the bow line forms an open loop that is easy for someone to grab onto and be pulled up out of a dangerous location.
- Sheet Bend. Best for trying topes of different materials together, its name comes for its traditional use of a holding a sail in place.
- Two Half Hitches. This knot ties a rope to a post, such as a tree, or a ring. Additionally, it is easily tightened or loosened based on the situation.
- Taut Line. Commonly used to securing tens tot he ground, taut lines also tighten and loosen.
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