The Knotmasters Course

The skill of knot tying is much more useful than many might think.

»Knotmasters« is a resource and self-directed course in learning the ropes. This DeMeyere® project is intended as motivation to stay proficient in the useful and perishable skill of using rope. In contrast to other training programs this program will adapt to your knot tying needs and not force you through a series of knots outside of your field or interest (that is, this program can readily be adapted to rescue, sailing, boating, climbing, caving, arborist, fishing or scouting groups by recommending knots for the next level). It will also not contain as many rules and will force the knotmaster to research how to tie the knots, with the best method of learning being from another person who knows how to tie the knots. After a short sequence of basic multifunctional knots that are used as building blocks, the knotmaster can choose the direction of study. One of the key aspects of this course is maintaining proficiency. It is often more valuable to be able to tie a knot when you need it, than to be able to say that you have tied it once before. It is even better to be able to tie that knot in the dark while it is raining. Have fun! —Ross DeMeyere

Levels of mastery

White Rope

• a willingness to learn and practice knots
• a practice line that you carry with you
• a notebook to keep notes and track progress
• and whatever else you may want or need

Yellow Rope

• whip & fuse
• overhand knot
• slip knot
• marlingspike hitch
• square knot
• clove hitch
• constrictor hitch
• 2 half hitches
• tautline hitch
• sheet bend
• bowline
• timber hitch
• cleat hitch

Green Rope

• 13 additional knots (inventory >= 26)
• 1 project

Red Rope

• 13 additional knots (inventory >= 39)
• 2 projects

Black Rope (per level)

• 17 additional knots (inventory >= 56,73,90,107,124,...)
• 3 projects

Rules

• For a knot to become part of your inventory, you must demonstrate the knot, tell what the purpose of the knot is (that is, how it can be used), and be able to recognize the knot if tied by someone else.
• To keep a knot in your inventory, you must stay proficient in that knot.
• Maintain a list of your inventory for others to look at.
• Must compete in tangles.

Glossary

inventory: the knots that you are proficient in.
tangle: a contest where knotmasters demonstrate their skills.
knotmasters: those who are participating in this training.

Tangle ideas

5-knot tangle: A common tangle where a knotmaster will tie a knot in their practice line and have another knotmaster identify it and tie it in their own line before getting to choose the next knot.

The fact that not every knotmaster has the same inventory will allow for more interesting and informative tangles.

Time tangle: Choose 5+ knots from either the Yellow level or common to all the knotmasters competing and time how long it takes to sequentially tie all the knots.