Knot Atlas

Basics

Before you tie

Six short pages on rope itself and on the words and habits every knot relies on. Read them in order or dip in.

  1. 1

    How rope is made

    Laid, braided and kernmantle rope behave differently in your hands and in a knot.

  2. 2

    What rope is made of

    Natural and synthetic fibres: which stretch, which float, which slip.

  3. 3

    Looking after rope

    Inspect, clean and retire rope before it lets you down.

  4. 4

    Coiling and storing

    Coil it so it runs free next time, and store it where it will last.

  5. 5

    Words for the parts of a rope

    Standing part, working end, bight, loop, turn. The words every step uses.

  6. 6

    Tying technique

    Dress, set, leave a tail, and test. Good habits that make any knot better.