Books On Knots Novels & Stories

I was a total novice when I started crewing, and the knot book that actually stayed open on a wet deck was 'The Complete Sailor' by David Seidman. It's not exclusively knots, but the knot section is incredibly well-illustrated and prioritizes the essential ones. I found it way better than pure knot encyclopedias that overwhelm you with hundreds.

You need to learn bowline, clove hitch, figure-eight, and cleat hitch first. Practice with a short piece of line while watching TV. The biggest mistake is trying to learn them all at once. Focus on making those four second nature, because you'll use them for everything from tying a fender to securing a dock line in a crosswind.

A laminated card is helpful, but the book's explanations about when to use each knot, and more importantly, when not to, made it click for me. Muscle memory is everything; the theory only gets you so far when your hands are cold.

Honestly, I think a lot of people overcomplicate this. The absolute best starting point isn't a book at all—it's animated knot websites like Animated Knots by Grog. You can see the rope move, rewind, and practice alongside it. But if we're talking physical pages, 'The Ashley Book of Knots' is a terrible beginner choice despite everyone recommending it; it's overwhelming.

For a real beginner, 'Knots: The Complete Visual Guide' by Des Pawson is way more approachable. The photos are clear, step-by-step, and it focuses on the two dozen knots you'll actually use. I learned the bowline and clove hitch from that book in an afternoon, and I'm all thumbs.

My copy's still got coffee stains on the page for the figure-eight loop.

Looking for something that actually shows you how to use the knots, not just tie them, right? Most knot books lean way too decorative or way too utilitarian. A classic that bridges the gap is Ashley's 'The Ashley Book of Knots'—it's a monster of a reference, but you have to sift through it. The illustrations are old-school and fantastic for learning, and it's got everything from basic hitches to fancy decorative work. The big downside is it's not the clearest step-by-step; you'll need some patience. For a more modern take, 'The Ultimate Book of Everyday Knots' by Geoffrey Budworth is surprisingly good for both. It's got clear photos for practical stuff like camping and boating, but also dedicates sections to decorative knots like Turks heads and Chinese button knots. It's not the deepest dive into either world, but as a combined starter, it's solid. I found the decorative sections a bit brief, though—ended up supplementing with YouTube for the celtic knotwork I wanted to learn.

If you're into maritime stuff, 'The Marlinspike Sailor' is a hidden gem. It's mostly practical sailor's knots, but the way it presents them—with instructions for making useful gadgets like a rope mat or a doorstop—feels crafty and decorative in its own right. The presentation elevates the practical into something you'd want to show off. Honestly, the best combo might be two books: one purely practical manual for your needs and a separate one focused on ornamental knotting like 'The Complete Book of Decorative Knots' by Lindsey Philpott. That's what I wound up doing.