We all learn to make knots as toddlers, learning to tie shoe laces and later the dreaded School tie. I, like many others, took the skill a little further, learning knot-making when I joined The Scouting Movement – when we had leaned a decent number of knots and could make them competently, we’d go camping, climbing and abseiling.
The whole “Adventurous Activity” thing contributing to the building of Self-Confidence, Empowerment, Leadership and Team-building and the newly titled “Emotional Intelligence” elements - and this is the reason that I enjoy sharing the skills - to help others to achieve more than merely knowing how to tie laces or tell the difference between a Granny and a Reef knot.
I now preferring a somewhat smaller selection of knots chosen for ease of application and modified to my specific requirements. Some knots more suited to certain conditions or types of cord - but all learned through extensive practise and built upon the platform of experience.
Having a practised arsenal of a few common knots pays dividends when camping and many other outdoor pastimes. When those few knots are committed to “muscle memory” they can be made confidently and quickly for a myriad of purposes such as building structures, making equipment and tools, as well as securing loads and packages, making swings and putting up tarps.
Now an admission – I am not a “Knot-Tyrant” - I do not care if you tie an “over-hand” instead of an “under-hand”, nor do I worry that you know the correct name – but if you know the sequence of movements that results in securing a cord to an anchor point, or two cords together or can draw something tight – you can make knots too – it’s a hand-dance with practical results!
