~ Alaska Museum of Fancy Knots ~
~ Star Knots ~
Diagram 29
At this point, there is a trick that is not mentioned in any of the books. You will flatten the Star Knot by putting the knot on a white piece of paper (a white index card works best)...the white card is used so that no dirt will be picked up. *(you don't need an anvil!!...just a solid surface/table) You will flatten (NOT crush) the Star Knot. Use the bottle (actually a bos'n mug works great!) and gently hit the Star Knot....this will flatten it out a bit. When you have done this, you may need to use the awl again and do a bit of final touch-up.
Diagram 30
This is how the Star Knot should now look!
Diagram 31
At this point, one little project to make is the "refrigerator/"in-out" board magnets"...I tye the bottom cords off and melt the ends and then they are glued into the wooden plug for the magnets.
Diagram 32
These magnets were handmade/carved using cottonwood bark. I used a little compass to make the circles and i used a Stanley wood shaper/sandpaper/whittling knife/varnish to make them. The magnets go in the back and the knots go in front. There are probably dozens of knots using almost any type of cord to make these magnets!
Diagram 33
Anyway, back to making the handles!...after you have made the Star Knot, you will add the bottom half of the knot. The steps are the same as making the Star Knot (with a few steps left out!)....start by making the "Single Hitches" as shown. One important thing to remember while making the bottom half of this knot is that it has to be smaller than the top part! You will have to make the bottom half as tight as possible from the start to do this. If the bottom half is as large or larger than the top half, the knot does not look good at all! So keep in mind that the bottom half has to be made as tight as possible from the beginning!
Diagram 34
Now make the "Crown Knot" and follow through. This photo should be self-explanatory!
Diagram 35
This is how the bottom of the knot should now look.
Diagram 36
The next step is to put each cord through the knot one final time. Actually, this step is a lot easier than it looks! Each cord goes directly into the center of the knot and then down through the bottom. You will find that there is nothing in the way of the needle. Now tighten up the bottom half of the knot using the cords as leverage.
Diagram 37
Now you can again flatten the knot using the bottle...this is how the knot should now look!
Diagram 38
Now insert the chainsaw file/ice pick inside the center of the knot. I suggest you put a little wooden/plastic bead over the end of the ice pick to prevent yourself from getting stabbed!
Diagram 39
Now add Matthew Walker Knots.
Diagram 40
Now add the Crown Hitching. Note that the first crown after the Matthew Walker Knot is a "Single Crown". After that the rest is "Double Crown" (or "Complex Crown") hitching. Use your best judgement to take the hitching up to the point where you feel the finished knot will look best.
Diagram 41
Finish off the knots with "Footrope Knots" (in this case, 5-lead Footrope Knots are used).
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