Learning knots?

**rict** · 05-01-2010, 19:58

OK, after reading about Amsteel, I purchased some 7/64" to try. I had never heard of it before I read about it here recently. It's very different from paracord...

So I go onto some websites to try to learn about the different knots I'm always reading about here (carrick, diamond, prusik,etc.). I try youtube, which has lots of videos of "how to tie" knots...but they aren't really for the beginner; they go fast, and even pausing every few seconds, I get lost quickly. So I go to some of the "how to tie knots" websites that have diagrams of each step...even worse!

Now I usually have very good visual/spatial skills, but I can't figure out how you learn to tie knots by yourself with just diagrams or videos. I'm sure that having someone else show you how, correcting you immediately as you make a mistake, would be the best way but I don't know anyone else who "knows" knots.

When I go backpacking with my new hammock next weekend, I'll probably fall back on my "multiple twists, multiple wraps, multiple overhand knots" method of fastening the lines. Anyone else have this visual/spatial problem?

**Trooper** · 05-01-2010, 20:05

I struggle learning knots, but this site has helped considerably:

http://www.animatedknots.com/

**Pipsissewa** · 05-01-2010, 20:11

Trooper beat me to it. Yes, ANIMATEDKNOTS is great!!! Do try it. I'm knot impaired too, but have recently found that website and--dare I say it--I feel I have mastered a few important knots. I want to buy some Amsteel too to make my own whoopie slings. (Hint: there are videos for that too) Good luck!

**krugd** · 05-01-2010, 20:14

+1 for the animated knots site.

**Trooper** · 05-01-2010, 20:16

I didn't know about the site until I joined HF. One of the many things I've learned here.

**wisenber** · 05-01-2010, 21:47

If you have some time to kill, the Ashley Book of Knots is the bible of knots.
One of these days, when I'm caught up with EVERYTHING, I may sit down and start working my way through all 3,854 of them... knot.

**DavidWa** · 05-02-2010, 02:17

You might find this web page useful too. The knots are not animated. But the visuals are good and at the top of the page is a zip file. Down load it, decompress it. Then find the half dozen or so index.htm files and you can view the same web pages off line. Also there are several links to other on line knot pages.

http://www.layhands.com/Knots/

D

**gargoyle** · 05-02-2010, 04:01

AnimatedKnots is the bomb, bookmark it to your favorites. I look it at alot!

Knots on amsteel or dynaglide are finnicky, at best. Splicing is the strongest way to do the new techno ropes/string.

Opies got some excellent examples. And this guy has a good video.
While the rope is bigger in Nick's vid, the principle is the same. I found practicing on bigger rope at first helps, then try the litte stuff, then get crazy and do some zing-it sized rope!

**TinaLouise** · 05-02-2010, 06:59

that animated rope site is fantastic. I use it to help teach the scouts their knots. Once they've learned the "scout" basic 7, I branch out to letting them pick any other knots on that web site and we'll work on it.

TinaLouise

**Perkolady** · 05-02-2010, 07:04

I really like the animated knots site. Some of the other sites/vids don't show the knot being tied from the tyers perspective, which is confusing for me. On the animated knots site, you can flip it around however you like. Wonderful!!