Basket weave knot
Encyclopedia
The basket weave knots are a family of bend and lanyard
knot
s with a regular pattern of over–one, under–one. All of these knots are rectangular and lie in a plane. They are named after plait
-woven baskets
, which have a similar appearance.
. Within this constraint, there is no theoretical upper limit to the size of a basket weave knot. Thus, a knot that has two intersections in one direction can be lengthened with any odd number in the perpendicular direction. If the dimension n in the smaller direction is odd, it is always possible to construct a knot with n + 2 intersections in the other dimension. However, large basket weave knots have a tendency to twist and curl because they are completely flat.
A basket weave knot can be tied from a single strand by first forming a bight
in the middle of the line. The ends near the bight become the standing ends. This method will keep the knot in one plane only for knots in which the standing ends enter the same side; these knots are called bosun's knots because they can be tied in a lanyard. For knots in which the standing ends enter from different sides of the rectangle, the bight will wrap across one side of the knot after it is set.
Any basket weave knot that can be tied from two strands can be drawn as an endless knot
by connecting the standing ends together and the working ends together. An example of this can be seen in the carrick mat
.
If a basket weave knot is tied with a flat line such as ribbon instead of a round line such as rope or cord, the method of turning the line at the edges affects the final appearance. Deflecting the line will form a series of bights or scallops along the edge, while folding it over will leave the edge flat.
In the reef knot and granny knot, the standing ends enter the short side, while in the double coin knot and the sheet bend, the standing ends enter the long side. Therefore any of these knots could be used for a lanyard. In the carrick bend, which is otherwise similar to the double coin knot, the standing ends enter opposite long sides.
The next smallest possible basket weave knot is made up of a three–by–four rectangle, and may be called a boatswain
's lanyard, whistle lanyard, Napoleon knot, or Chinese knot, although the art of Chinese knotting includes many more knots besides this one.
Lanyard
A lanyard is a rope or cord exclusively worn around the neck or wrist to carry something. Usually it is used where there is a risk of losing the object or to ensure it is visible at all times. Aboard a ship, it may refer to a piece of rigging used to secure objects...
knot
Knot
A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...
s with a regular pattern of over–one, under–one. All of these knots are rectangular and lie in a plane. They are named after plait
Braid
A braid is a complex structure or pattern formed by intertwining three or more strands of flexible material such as textile fibres, wire, or human hair...
-woven baskets
Basket weaving
Basket weaving is the process of weaving unspun vegetable fibres into a basket or other similar form. People and artists who weave baskets are called basketmakers and basket weavers.Basketry is made from a variety of fibrous or pliable materials•anything that will bend and form a shape...
, which have a similar appearance.
Construction
A basket weave knot is made up of two sets of parallel lines drawn inside a rectangle such that the lines meet at the edges of the rectangle. For a true basket weave knot that can be tied with two strands, the number of intersections in each direction cannot have a common divisorDivisor
In mathematics, a divisor of an integer n, also called a factor of n, is an integer which divides n without leaving a remainder.-Explanation:...
. Within this constraint, there is no theoretical upper limit to the size of a basket weave knot. Thus, a knot that has two intersections in one direction can be lengthened with any odd number in the perpendicular direction. If the dimension n in the smaller direction is odd, it is always possible to construct a knot with n + 2 intersections in the other dimension. However, large basket weave knots have a tendency to twist and curl because they are completely flat.
A basket weave knot can be tied from a single strand by first forming a bight
Bight (knot)
In knot tying, a bight is a curved section, slack part, or loop between the two ends of a rope, string, or yarn. The term is also used in a more specific way when describing Turk's head knots, indicating how many repetitions of braiding are made in the circuit of a given knot.-Slipped knot:In order...
in the middle of the line. The ends near the bight become the standing ends. This method will keep the knot in one plane only for knots in which the standing ends enter the same side; these knots are called bosun's knots because they can be tied in a lanyard. For knots in which the standing ends enter from different sides of the rectangle, the bight will wrap across one side of the knot after it is set.
Any basket weave knot that can be tied from two strands can be drawn as an endless knot
Endless knot
The endless knot or eternal knot is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism such as Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Kalmykia, and Buryatia...
by connecting the standing ends together and the working ends together. An example of this can be seen in the carrick mat
Carrick mat
The carrick mat is a flat woven decorative knot which can be used as a mat or pad. Its name stems from the fact that the mat is based on the decorative-type carrick bend with the ends connected together, forming an endless knot...
.
If a basket weave knot is tied with a flat line such as ribbon instead of a round line such as rope or cord, the method of turning the line at the edges affects the final appearance. Deflecting the line will form a series of bights or scallops along the edge, while folding it over will leave the edge flat.
Examples
The simplest basket weave knots consist of a two–by–three rectangle of intersections and include the following:- Carrick bendCarrick bendThe Carrick bend is a knot used for joining two lines. It is particularly appropriate for very heavy rope or cable that is too large and stiff to easily be formed into other common bends. It will not jam even after carrying a significant load or being soaked with water...
- Double coin knot
- Sheet bendSheet bendThe sheet bend is a bend, that is, a knot that joins two ropes together. Doubled, it is effective in binding lines of different diameter or rigidity securely together, although it has a tendency to work loose when not under load.The sheet bend is related in structure to the bowline...
- Reef knotReef knotThe reef knot or square knot is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. Although the reef knot is often seen used for tying two ropes together, it is not recommended for this purpose due to potential instability of the knot.A reef knot is formed by tying...
- Granny knotGranny knotThe granny knot is a binding knot, used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is considered inferior to the reef knot, which it superficially resembles. Neither of these knots should be used as a bend for attaching two ropes together....
In the reef knot and granny knot, the standing ends enter the short side, while in the double coin knot and the sheet bend, the standing ends enter the long side. Therefore any of these knots could be used for a lanyard. In the carrick bend, which is otherwise similar to the double coin knot, the standing ends enter opposite long sides.
The next smallest possible basket weave knot is made up of a three–by–four rectangle, and may be called a boatswain
Boatswain
A boatswain , bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The boatswain supervises the other unlicensed members of the ship's deck department, and typically is not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews...
's lanyard, whistle lanyard, Napoleon knot, or Chinese knot, although the art of Chinese knotting includes many more knots besides this one.