InterKnot The newsletter of the International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch

March/April, 2008

A Father’s Legacy to His Daughter By Erika Hamer Being born and raised in and near the whaling city of New Bedford Massachusetts, USA I first became interested in marlinspike crafting when my dad taught me the basic square knot belt and turks head wristband at the age of 10. Over the years he taught me more of the decorative knots and how to put them together to create key fobs, lanyards and many other useful and ornamental items. Most knots were originated on the whaling ships back in the 1800’s. They are unique and knotting is one of the oldest of the folk arts. They are an object of beauty and utility and will never grow old. My dad became interested in marlinspike sea-manship while serving in the Merchant Marine. Upon leaving the service he became acquainted with a retired Navy man who taught him how to make intricate mac-rame belts. With this introduction to fancy rope work and a copy of the “Ashely Book of Knots,” my dad taught himself the art of making beckets which he did for well over 20 years until my beloved father passed away in August of 2006. Beckets are knotted rope handles. Historically, seamen were issued a sea chest. Within this chest they kept their personal belongings while on board ship. On long voyages, sailors spent their leisure time practicing the art of marlinspike seamanship and replaced the iron handles of their sea chest with handmade beckets. Proficiency in knot work was highly valued and a sailor was known by his beckets. A becket begins with a core of ¼ inch manila rope around which the becket is constructed. An eye is spliced in each end and then the becket is created with cotton cord. Some of the knots used are man rope knots, ring bolt hitch-ing, Spanish hitching and turks heads. The middle of the bolt is covered with leather that is hand stitched and leather washers are used for wear and tear. The beckets are either dipped in a clear sealer or painted to protect it against the elements. I was very fortunate and lucky to have an extraordi-

In this issue: A Fathers Legacy

Mr. Twisty

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nary dad that I admired and looked up to. He also had the patience to take the time to show me the art of making the beautiful and unique beckets. I will carry on his legacy to me by making the beckets exactly the way he taught me. I am often asked how I learned knotting and who taught me this wonderful craft of marlinspike knotwork. So I put this together as an informative story for those who purchase my marlinspike items and also for those who are interested in my beginnings. My dad, Gilman Hamer, was a member of the IGKT for many years. He and my mother were exhibitors at the IGKT meeting that was held at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, USA about 10 years ago. My mother is a professional artist and calligrapher. So many times their crafts were put together and separately to create amazing items. I remember so well the times my dad and I spent sitting on the porch knotting, talking and enjoying the out-doors. They will always be a special part of my life.

Wheel Covering & photo by

Erika Hamer

Knot Work & photos by

David Lambert

Contact Information John Burke, Treasurer - knottyrope@prodigy.net Web Site: www.igktnab.org

THE EDITOR NEEDS ASSISTANCE As editor of the InterKnot I could use some assistance to keep the InterKnot in-teresting and informative for the membership. That assistance can take many forms such as : Articles that you write about Knot Tying, directions that show how to tie a specific knot that you find useful, pictures of knot tying events that you have attended and sources for supplies and materials that you use and would recommend to other members. Almost anything related to knot tying that other members may find useful and interesting. The submission can be hand written, photos, computer generated files MS Word, almost anything. I would like to build a file so that I can draw from it as I need items to assemble the “InterKnot” Please submit any items to Editor – “InterKnot”, 4417 Academy Street, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125, or e-mail items to knottyrope@prodigy.net Subject Line: “InterKnot” Items.

Local Events and gatherings… Living in such a large country and being spread out has its challenges. We have members who work with the public and set up tables and booths at events around the US. If you are one of these people that puts something together, PLEASE advertise it so that others may come assist you in engaging the public. Send an e-mail to Don Burrhus (donb@donb.com) to get your event posted on the web site AND remember to send an e-mail to the Yahoo Knot Tyers Group to be sure that others know about the event.

Membership Expiration Please look near your address label for the expiration date of your membership. If you think that this date is incorrect, please e-mail me with your concerns. I have been trying my best to be sure that the information contained in the data-base is current and correct. Please remember that Membership Dues are $45 - John Burke - knottyrope@prodigy.net

ITEMS OF INTEREST For those members that have internet access, please visit the following links to see what is going on in knot tying. If you don’t have internet access, visit a friend or local library and access any of the following sites. Questions can be asked and often answered. Yahoo Knot Tyers Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knottyers/ Alaska Museum of Fancy Knots http://www.knotical-arts.com/

PLEASE KEEP THE IGKT-NAB UPDATED Please keep us informed of any address, area code, telephone num-ber, and e-mail address changes that occur. We are working with the IGKT (UK) to make sure changes are reflected in future IGKT (UK) Membership Books. Your assis-tance is appreciated.

Copyright IGKT-NAB 2007

Knot Work & photos by

David Lambert

“Rope Yarns” By: Mr. Twisty

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WHERE IN THE WORLD DID IT ALL COME

FROM???

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Nobody seems to be able to pin down the exact time when rope was first invented. Cavemen proba-bly pulled things around with vines or rawhide (not much interested in tying the intricate Turks Head) and later-man probably did a little braiding… but did you know that the first people to produce rope making tools were the Egyptians?!? Yep, seems we can date back to around 4000 B.C. when these folks first started rope production. The tools they used produced ropes of flax, papyrus, palm fibers, leather and even camel hair! Something had to have been made good to haul all of those pyramid stones! Over the next few thousand years rope made its way around the populated areas of Europe, (Your-rope? - hmmmmm), Asia, and China. On to somewhere near 400 A.D. and India. Seems these people had become rope connoisseurs (hey.. It‘s really not that far from Egypt). They made some real fine stuff for rajah and rani outfits, curtains, rugs and other decorative exports. Some of the rope they produced was so strong, and of high quality, that it was used in the forestry and hauling trades that used elephants as the power source. Now that had to be strong stuff! Later on, during Leonardo da Vinci’s time in the middle 1400s, plans for his rope making machines had produced several different working models, so

rope production became a bonified trade. (Italian tarred Marlin ring a bell?) Natural fibers were the only products available un-til the 1950s when nylon made the scene… not only did it knock the socks off the silk stocking trade, it was a boon to the rope industry as well. Today, we have a multitude of fine materials from which to produce rope and it has become quite the specialized trade…twisted, braided or custom made, work-trades, businesses and government agencies all have their special needs. Sure makes me glad when we get together to play with these fine, fancy fibers we do today… hey Bob, pass me a length of that musty smellin’, camel leather thong you got there… I’d like to work me up a key fob!

SOME ROPE-A-DOPE! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rope is sometimes generally referred to as cordage and can be divided into four categories.

Cordage under a diameter of 0.1875 inches (0.5 cm) includes twine, clothesline, sash cord, and mar-line. These are not considered to be true rope.

Cordage with a diameter of 0.1875 to 0.5 inches (0.5-1.3 cm) is a light-duty rope and is referred to as "small stuff."

Cordage with a diameter of 0.5 to about 1.5 inches (1.3-3.8 cm) is considered to be true rope. Cordage over 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter is generally called a hawser and is used for mooring large ships.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (and now you know…ciao!)

InterK

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InterKnot The newsletter of the

International Guild of Knot Tyers North American Branch

Knot Work & photos by David Lambert