List of Decorative Knots
How to Tie Decorative Knots | Decorative Knots
Braid a Single Rope: A single rope can be braided by pulling one end through the loop repeatedly.
Braid Three Strands (One): This is the technique usually used to braid hair to make a Pigtail.
Braid Three Strands (Two): This is the less common technique used to braid hair to make a Pigtail
Carrick Bend Mat: The Carrick Bend is the basis for the design of this small mat.
Celtic Knot Mat: The Celtic Knot makes a pleasing rope mat with a rectangular shape.
Chain Sinnet, Chain Stitch or Monkey Braid: The Chain sinnet converts a cord into a braid that has the appearance of a chain. It is used by climbers to store rope free of tangles, as a decoration, and to shorten and add bulk to a cord, e.g., for the end of a light pull.
Cobra Knot: The Cobra Knot creates a neat lanyard. It is commonly used in military shoulder lanyards.
Crown Sinnet: The Crown Sinnet is a family of knots all made using a series of Crown knots to create a thick decorative braid.
Lanyard Knot: The Lanyard Knot forms a loop in the middle of a piece of rope. It looks as though two lines are passing through a separate collar. It is frequently used as a component of a knife lanyard.
Matthew Walker: The Matthew Walker provides a secure stopper in a rope which cannot be untied. It is closely related to the Wall but makes a more bulky and more effective stopper knot.
Fiador Knot: The Fiador Knot is a decorative knot used as a component of rope halters or hackamores.
French Sinnet One: The French Sinnet One provides a neat symmetrical braid which can be used to decorate drapes, hangings, hats and clothes.
French Sinnet Two: The French Sinnet Two provides a neat diagonal braid which can be used to decorate drapes, hangings, hats and clothes.
Sliding Splice by Grog: The Sliding Splice makes an adjustable splice suitable for making a yachtsman's belt. It is made by raising loops in alternate strands in a three stranded rope.
Monkey's Fist: The Monkey's Fist makes a neat ball on the end of a rope. It is decorative and fun to make. It is also sometimes used on the end of a heaving line. However, this can be hazardous if you are on the receiving end.
Wall, Crown, and Manrope Knot: The Wall and the Crown are essential components of many decorative knots. Here the strands of the rope are used to tie a Wall followed by a Crown to make a ball on the rope's end.
Masthead Knot Mat: The Masthead Knot, or Jury Mast Knot, enables stays to be tied to the top of a temporary mast. However, when the rope is passed around a second time it makes a pleasing small mat.
Ocean Plait Mat: A pleasing rope mat created started with a simple overhand knot.
Four Strand Sinnet #2974: Four Strand Sinnet #2974 provides an unusual decorative sinnet.
Square Sinnet: The Square Sinnet provides a neat braid which is decorative and can be used as a hair braid.
Turk's Head (Woggle): The Turk's Head makes a neat ring - most commonly employed as a slide, or woggle, for a boy scout's scarf.
Wall Knot: The Wall creates a small stopper knot tied using the strands of the rope. It is component of the Matthew Walker and the Manrope Knot.
Decorative Knots
There are whole books devoted to tying Decorative Knots. Ashley, himself, devotes about half his enormous book (ABOK) to knots which are more fun than they are useful.
SelectionThe knots here were selected as merely an introduction to the fun to be had with a piece of rope and cord.
Recent Additions
The Three Strand and Four Strand Braids have been added in response to several requests.
Emphasis
For decorative knots the emphasis is on fun and decoration - nothing to do with strength - even when making a Rope Belt using the Sliding Splice.
Make a selection from the images above.