Some New Grip Fids.

How Do All,

Whilst busy making cord making machines, I also made up some Gripfids for a customer to go with their machine, which they requested the handle to be left off so that they may possibly carve their own. 

Whilst I was at it I decided to make a new set of Gripfids for myself as I sold all but one of mine to a customer that was desperate to get hold of them. 

There are 1/4", 5/16" ,3/8" and 1/2" diameter Gripfids here.

I also made a small 1/4" double ended Gripfid which I am sure will prove unnecessarily useful! 

I covered one of my smaller Gripfids with a 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple Knot, with a varied interweave.

I love these knots, probably my favourite knot to tie and I tie them with no instructions, just straight out of my head and into my hand.

Along side a large covered net float which I found on Walney Island many years ago. 

this is another Pineapple knot with a varied interweave.

Like a star flower

The knot is made up from 5 separate 6 bight x 7 lead Turk's-Head Knots or Casa Knot if you like.

Tied in 1.5mm polypropylene twine.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry

Knotty Bear getting all Knotty again!

How Do All ;-)

So, it's been a while since I did anything new on the knotting front, and when I get the urge to tie something I don't hold back!
I decided to tie a long pineapple knot with a varied pattern, just to make sure I was still on top of my game.

Below is a picture the finished Pineapple Knot being examined by Buddha.
I think he probably approves.

This is a 90 part x 48 bight, 6 Pass, Type 6 Pineapple Knot, with a varied interweave, tied over a beach combed fishing net float which I found on the beach near my old home town of Barrow-In-Furness

There are loops at each end formed from one long length of 10 strand trapezoidal braid U6, O2, spliced and stitched into a continuous strop.

There are two 12 part x 12 bight, 2 Pass, Type 2 Pineapple Knots sitting either side of the main knot, with a foundation of 8 bight, Single Strand Matthew Walker Knots.

All tied in 1.5mm line.

The braiding of the 10 strand trapezoidal braid in my braiding clamp.

The total length is 190 mm (7.5") x 45 mm (1.75") This would make one very large and very buoyant key fob for your boat keys, or a very nice light or fan pull handle, or the grip on a dirty bag, etc. etc..

The main Pineapple Knot is actually made up from 6 separate 15 part x 8 bight Turk's-Head knots, these are all interwoven into one single knotted covering. the fact this has a varied pattern makes it that much more special.

If you are a Knot Tyer and wish to try your hand at this interweave, or at least one very similar which is easily altered to make this interweave, bearing in mind you should be at least able to tie a standard multi pass Pineapple Knot, then please check out my help tutorial here: Pineapple Knot interweave tutorial. please note, this link will open a new window!

A close up of the finished Pineapple Knot, being examined by Buddha and in my hand for an idea of size

Thank you for looking,
Take care,
Barry ;-)

A Pineapple Knot Variation. Links Fixed!

How Do All ;-)

Just a quickie!

I was unaware that the links to the pdf  file for the below Help Tutorial were broken and the file was no longer where it was stored, 

I have now uploaded the pdf to my Google Drive and the links on my Tutorials and Help page all work again

Sorry to anyone that tried the links and found nothing of any help! And thank you to Graham for pointing this out to me :-)

I copied the tutorial information here to save you having to open yet another window :-D

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

A Pineapple Knot Variation.

Click above for the pdf file which includes the Under / Over sequence and some help pictures to enable you to add the white interweave variation to a *27 part x 24 bight 3 pass, Type 3 Pineapple knot.

Please note: the finished knot will be a 42 part x 48 bight, 6 pass, Type 3 Pineapple knot pictured above.
*You will need to be able to tie the mentioned 3 pass, Type 3 Pineapple knot unaided before you start.

Below: is a 7 pass, Type 4 knot made using the same interweave pattern.

Below: is a 4 pass, Type 3 knot made using a variation of the same interweave pattern.

More Gripfids

How Do All ;-)

I just finished covering a set of Gripfids for a customer in Switzerland.

The tools are 6mm, 8mm and 10mm diameter, suitable for up to 4mm, 6mm and 8mm cords respectively, 

 The tools have a solid Maple handle, covered with a beautiful Pineapple knot.

The smallest is a 35p x 30b, 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot, the next is a 36p x 32b, 4 Pass, Type 4 Pineapple knot, and the largest is a 45p x 40b, 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot.

A close up of the Pineapple knot handles.

I made some Pojama's (covers) for the Gripfids from odd ends of climbing rope with the core stripped out.

practical or not? who knows ;-)  

For more info about, and pictures of Gripfids see the link below:

Grip Fids

And to see some of the items I have made using Gripfids, check out my Ply-Split Braiding page

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Cotton Seine Twine and Ditty Bag, For Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have just added some more items to my Etsy Shop

All Sold Now, Thank you for looking ;-)

#30 Cotton Seine Twine

This is about 3mm diameter, with a firm lay and very easy to work with. 

900 gram spool (2 lb) , 286 meters (878 feet)

dimension, length, and weights are approximate.

#21 Cotton Seine Twine 

This is about 2mm diameter, with a very firm lay and very easy to work with. 

900 gram spool (2 lb) , 460 meters (1512 feet)

Note: dimension, length, and weights are approximate

Twisted Drawn Thread Ditty Bag

The body of the bag is made from 15oz cotton Duck, and is 300mm x 175mm. the canvas is fully hand seamed and the base has a double seam for durability. the body features twisted, drawn thread work, made by removing the weft from the canvas and bunching the remaining warp strands together and then twisting them into several small cords, these are further split and twisted into other cords, and some nice hard wood beads finish of the design.

The grip is of Cotton, and contains; Double Crowning, Pineapple knots in Hemp and Mathew Walker knots. The hanging loop is covered in Cotton Solomon bar. the grip has a coat of my own mixed natural bleached shellac to stiffen and help protect the grip from every day grime.

The slider (bag closure knot) is a Pineapple knot, and the toggle on the base is a Star Knot.

There are 6 beautiful Star Knots around the top of the bag, to which the lanyard legs are buttoned the splices on the lanyard legs are further covered with Turk's-Head knots.

The legs of the lanyard are Flax.

The bag can be converted to a shoulder bag by buttoning Star Knot toggle on the base of the bag through one of the two differently sized hanging loops on the end of the lanyard.

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Some Grip Fids for Sale!

How Do All ;-)

I have just added some of my hand made Gripfids to my Etsy Shop

This is a must have tool for Ply-Split Braiding, and is also and ideal tool for all other kinds decorative knot work.

The Gripfid is made from seamless Stainless Steel tube, and has a long slender hollow point, which is formed in such a way that it will grip onto a cord end that is inserted into the tip. which holds the cord whilst pulling the tool back through the work piece.

This tool can also be used in a similar way to a marlinespike or Swedish fid and will make a fantastic addition to any knot tyers tool kit.

I have these tools tools in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm diameter suitable for up to 4mm, 6mm and 8mm cords respectively, some are available in longer or shorter lengths.

 The tools are supplied with either a naked solid Maple handle, or covered with a beautiful Pineapple knot.

Below is a 5 Pass, Type 5 Pineapple knot, with a special variation of the standard interweave. 

 Above and below you can see how the tool is use for Ply-Split Braiding. 

The tip of the Gripfid is easily passed through the ply's of the cords, then the cord is inserted and the tool withdrawn pulling the cord with it. and building a beautiful braid.

This tool can be used in this way for splicing as an alternative to the Swedish fid or for tying multi strand decorative knots.

Please contact me if you have any questions: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

Please check out my Etsy Shop for more items.

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Oldies But Still Goodies!

How Do All ;-)

Whilst waiting for a delivery today, I was browsing through some old pictures from 2005 / 2006, and came across some pictures of some nice earrings I used to make, so I thought I would share them with you.

Here are some single strand, modified 8 bight spherical Turk's-head knots, some single strand 8 plait grommet knots and some 4 Pass, Type 4 Pineapple Knots. All are made in 0.8mm braided cord, and to give an idea of size the finished knots are all around 12-15mm diameter.

Top row, single strand, modified 8 bight spherical Turk's-head knots.

Middle, 3 strand, modified 8 bight spherical Turk's-head knots.

Bottom row, 4 pass, Type 4 Pineapple Knots.

Single strand 8 plait grommet knots, and the last pair are 2 knots combined. these are all tied over the end of a finger!

 Single strand 8 plait grommet knots, close up.

 Single strand 8 plait grommet knots, close up.

I made dozens of pairs of each, and either sold or gave these away as presents, so it was nice to see them again even if only the pictures ;-)

Thank you for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Fluo Ditty Bag, For Sale!

SOLD!

How Do All ;-)
Yup' you heard right! I am selling my pride and joy Ditty Bag.

My Very Own Fluo Ditty Bag is now up for grabs!

The bag is in excellent condition and has never been used in anger, this bag has only ever come out of storage for display purposes!

Please see below for all the details of the bag, and pictures:

 The body of the bag is made from 12oz cotton Duck, and is 300mm x 175mm. the canvas is fully hand seamed and the base has a double seam for durability.

The grip is of Flax and UV reactive cord, and contains; overhand Spanish hitching, wide single strand Gaucho knots and single strand Mathew Walker knots. The hanging loop is 6 strand round braid.

 The slider is a Pineapple knot, and the toggle on the base is covered with Pineapple knots.

 There are 6 hand stitched grommet eyelets around the top of the bag, through which the spliced lanyard legs are buttoned with small Pineapple knot buttons.

The bag can be converted to a shoulder bag by buttoning the double ball toggle on the base of the bag through the hanging loop on the end of the lanyard. 

This bag was featured on the cover and in the pages of Knotting Matters 104.

I was the first person to be presented the Ditty Bag Trophy, in memory of the late Gary Sessions at the joint IGKT & IGKT-NAB meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Massachusetts in 2009, pictured here with the Ditty Bag Trophy and my Fluo Ditty Bag. An article appeared in KM 105 with pictures.

Below you can see the effect that Ultra Violet light has on the UV reactive cord and also the twine used for seaming the bag and putting in the  eyelets.

 The effect of the black light on the UV reactive cord and seaming twine is mind blowing when seen in the flesh.

The single strand Gaucho Knots ane braided directly to the lanyard,

 Close up of the  Pineapple knot used to close the bag.

Now the business end of the deal!

For this unique, one off and completely unrepeatable work of art I am asking a kings ransom of £395.00

Postage is £7.55 Royal Mail Special Delivery in the mainland UK.

& £23.00 USA. for a custom postage quote for other countries please contact me.

Contact Me: knotty (dot) bear (at) gmail (dot) com

I will not be making any more Ditty Bags ever again, so this is the last chance to own one of these much sought after hand crafted items!

You can see more of my Canvas Work here:

Canvas Work

Thanks for looking.

Take care,

Barry ;-)

Playing With UV Again!

The last time I experimented with UV Black Lights was during the making of my Fluo Ditty Bag, this bag had lots of fluorescent Yellow UV reactive cord used to make a very happy bright bag; as you can see below.

Above and below: Under Natural light and also under UV Black Light.

After making this bag I did not get around to playing with UV again until now; when a friend asked me to make some pineapple knots for him. one of these was to be bright, and as you can see below, under UV light it fills that requirement quite handsomely.

This is a 40p x 36b, 6 pass, Type 5 Pineapple Knot.

                    Below: under normal lights.                

    

And from the top under UV again.

Playing with UV Black Light is fun but only in very small doses; and with protective glasses, even then I still got a headache taking the pictures.

Take care,

Barry ;-)