If you want to learn to plait, or knot, make whips, saddles, dog leads or fancy belts, these books , will give you detailed instructions on how to do it, with lots of images of each step in the , process to make learning easy.
Ron is well known in Australian leatherworking and whipmaking circles and his images are drawn as the project progresses for complete clarity.
Ron was an artist who drew all the images in his books as he went along, so these books have a unique feel to them.
Capturing the Australian bush and the people who live there was a passion of Rons, and his detailed images of early life in this, sometimes harsh environment, allow us to feel what it was like living in isolation on stations.
He has also written books on the tools and toys of the pioneers of Australia, and because of that we can still make do with wire and leather when it's needed and you are a long way from a shop.
#1 Beginning Leatherwork |
A book for the complete beginner. It tells how to buy leather, basic tools needed, how to apply designs, colour work, and simple lacing techniques.
A few easy projects complete with full directions, plus a 20 page section of traceable designs.
The first book of its type published in Australia. 64 pages, 180 drawings.
Contents: Introduction, buying leather etc, Whip stitch, Comb case, Key Ring Tag, Key Ring on Belt Loop, Stockman's Belt, Wallet Wrist Band, Simple Whip, Thongs, Padded Thongs, Double Pocket Wallet, Double Cordover, Cooler Cover, Key Case, Koala Purse.,
See Bushcraft 8 below as this book is included along with others marked with the
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#2 The Secret Plait |
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Use this button for
Seems impossible - a plait made in the middle of a strap without cutting the ends!
20 pages, 85 drawings.
Contents: Whip Stitch, Wide Whip, Mummy Wrapping, Back Whip, Cross Stitch, Snakeskin Edging, Kimberley Edging, Single Cordover, Double Cordover, Triple Cordover, Grant's Edging, Round Braid, Borneo Edging, Lazy S, Dot Stitch, Baggin's Stitch, Flat Lacing, Bar Pattern, Zig-Zag Pattern, Bootlace Pattern, Linked Cross Pattern, Flat Cordover, Round Braid on Flat Surface, Tools etc
See Bushcraft 8 below as this book is included along with others marked with the
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#3 Leather Lacing Manual |
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Step-by-step instructions on all popular lacing techniques such as, Whip Stitch, Wide Whip, Mummy Wrapping, Back Whip, Cross Stitch, Round Braid, Single Cordover, Double and Triple Cordovers, Lazy S, Dot Stitch, Baggin's Stitch.
20 pages, 127 drawings.
Contents: Three Plait, Five Plait, Dog Collar, Collar for a Small Dog, Three Plait, Another Method, Seven Plait, Multiple Strand Plaits, Home made Gang Cutter, Gulf Knot, Trinity Knot,
See Bushcraft 8 below as this book is included along with others marked with the
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# 4 Stockman's Plaited Belts |
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The most popular bushie belt is made of plaited kangaroo lace.
Detailed instructions on making plaited belts from 8 to 16 strands.
Illustrated methods of creating various patterns and forming of a crocodile ridge down the belt centre.
28 pages, 90 drawings.
Contents: Cutting lace by hand, Belt measurements, Twin Ring Belt, Standard Flat Plaiting Technique, Flat 8 Plait, Flat 10 Plait, Flat 12 Plait, Flat 14 Plait, Flat 16 Plait, Flat 13 Plait, Finishing Off, The Keeper, Loose Keeper, Turk's Head Keeper, Gaucho Knot, Pineapple Knot, Buckle Belt, Fixed Keeper for Buckle Belt, Dressing the Belt, Easy Belt Patterns, Changing Patterns, Unusual Patterns, Crocodile Ridges, Raised Edge Plait, Triple Ridge Plait, Goanna Neck Plait, Goanna Neck Plait - 10 Strands, Hat Bands, and more....,
See Bushcraft 8 below as this book is included along with others marked with the
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#5 Braided Belts |
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Plus How To Make A Snakewhip. Transforming plain leather belts into valuable attractive items by adding braiding.
Techniques are simple and easy to learn, including how to make a flexible snakewhip.
20 pages, 138 drawings.
Contents: Flat 10 Plait, Round Edge Braiding, Single Strand Centre Braiding, Vine and Flowers Pattern, Twelve Point Braid, Covered Buckles, Edge Polishing Iron, Braided Snake, Snake Whip, Finishing Off a Plaited Belt., Flat 12 Plait.
See Bushcraft 8 below as this book is included along with others marked with the
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#6 Plaits Round and Flat |
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All basic, flat (3-20 strands) and round plaits (3-12 strands).
32 pages, 445 drawings.
Contents: Two Plait, Three Plait, Round 4 Plait, Doubled Crown Knot, Gumnut Knot, 4 Plait, Separate Strands, 4 Plait, Single Strand, 4 Plait Round a Core, 4 Plait on Handle, Doubled 4 Plait, Coachwhipping, Round 5 Plait, Chess Board and Diamond Patterns, Round 6 Plait, Diamond Pattern, Round 6 Plait, Round 6 Plait for Whip, Irregular Herringbone, Round 7 Plait, Round 8 Plait for Whips, 8 Plait, Diamond Pattern, 8 Plait for Whip Handle, Round 10 Plait, Round 10 Plait, Under 3 Sequence, Round 12 Plait, Herringbone Pattern, Round 12 Plait, Diamond Pattern, Round 12 Plait for Whips, Round 12 Plait for Whip Handlecing from 12 Plait to 10 Plait, Reducing from 10 Plait to 8 Plait, Reducing from 8 Plait to 7 Plait, Round Plaits 14 to 36 Strands, Dropping Strands, Reducing from 7 Plait to 6 Plaits, Reducing from 8 Plait to 6 PlaitReducing from 6 Plait to 4 Plait, Long Whipping, Common Whipping, Long Whipping, Alternative , Fine Plaits, How to 4 Plait to 24 Plait, Flat 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Plaits, Length of Strands, Finishing off Flat Plaiting, Flat 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20 Plait, Plaiting or Braiding, Assorted Plaiting Hints, To Gradually Widen a Plait, Changing from Round to Flat Plait, Changing from Flat to Round Plait, Plaiting a Right Angle, Turning a Plait on itself, Dog Lead,
See Bushcraft 8 below as this book is included along with others marked with the
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#11 Saddle Repairs |
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Explains common repairs for Australian stock saddles.
Repairing panels, replacing girth straps, replacing sweat flaps, replacing seat, fixing a loose seat, and,sewing seat to panel.
20 pages, 35 drawings.
Contents: Removing Panel From Seat, Repairs to Panel, Replacing Sweat Flaps, Sewing Panel to Seat at the Front, Sewing Panel to Seat at the Back, Repairs to the Tree, Repairing Torn Flap, Replacing Girth Straps, Seat Breaking Loose, Putting on a New Seat,
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#12 Whipmaking, Book One. |
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Plain instructions on how to make a 4 and 6 plait redhide or greenhide whip, the common stockwhip of the bush.
Each step is clearly illustrated, how to form the belly, plait the whip, attach the fall and cracker, and make the handle.
Diagrams for 6,8, and 12 plaits are also illustrated. 24 pages, 80 drawings.
Contents: Basic Whip, Whip Names, Style of Whip, Types of Leather, Choosing the Leather, 4 Plait Basic Whip, Making the Belly, Cutting Out the Whip, Cutting Methods, Splitting the Strands, Skiving, etc, Plaiting The 4 Plait Whip, Plaiting Soap, Leather Dressing, Plaiting the Whip, The Fall, Common Fall Hitch, Rolling the Whip, The Cracker, Fastening the Cracker to the Fall, Attaching the Cracker, alternative, Cracking the Whip,
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#13 Whipmaking. Book 2 |
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Kangaroo hide stockwhips for those who have already mastered plain stockwhips.
A longer book with detailed instructions for the plaiting of the highly favoured traditional kangaroo hide stockwhip.
32 pages, 192 drawings.
Contents: Cutting out an 8 strand Kangaroo Whip, The Belly, The Bolster, Plaiting the Overlay, Round 8 Plait, The Fall, Attaching the Fall, Bluetongue Hitch, Turk's Head on the Thong, Handle, Overlay for Handle, Long Whipping, The Knob on the Handle, 5 Part 4 Bight Turk's Head.
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#14 Whip Handle Designs |
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Not intended for beginners, but for those who can make a plain whip and now want to work some patterns into the handle.
Most of the designs are for 12 to 16 strands, but will adapt to a greater number of strands once some skill has been gained.
Also contains plans for a whip handle clamp and stitching tool.
32 pages, 45 drawings.
Contents: Tony Nugent Whip, Whips and Handles, Twisted Handles, Carved Timber Handles, Cowtail or Whipmakers Plait, Lungeing Whip, Designs for Whip Handles, Double Herringbone, Short Herringbone, Chess Board Plait, Double Diamond, Irregular Herringbone 12 Plait, Round, Triple Diamond, 4 Strand Diamond, Coachwhipping, Bracelet, Double Bracelet, Stairstep, Double Stairstep, Two methods for Complex Plaiting, Solid Band, Bird's Eye 12 Plait, round, Egyptian Eyes, The Sun, Flowers and Zig Zag, Double Zig Zag, Flowers, nterlocking Diamonds 16 Plait, round, The Ship of the Dead, Plaiting Names in Whips, Joining One Pattern to the next, Braiding and Plaiting, Whip Handle Clamp , Stitching Stool, Spanish Ring Knot, Two Seam Plait, Vee Pattern (Whipmaker's Plait), Barber's Pole Plait,
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#15 Plaiting Names in Whips |
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Tells how to plait names in whips in the traditional method.
Also explains how to do chain braid, saw tooth braid, 8 strand centre-weave, Lee's plait, repairing a broken whip, repairing a broken whip keeper and a tying hitich for a whip.
28 pages and 157 drawings.
Contents: Chain Braid, Sawtooth Braid, 8 Strand Centre Weave, Lee's Plait, Plaiting Names, Repairing a Broken Whip, Repairing a Broken Whip Keeper, Tying Hitch for a Whip,
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#16 Turk's Heads |
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A favourite knot amongst whipmakers and sailors, being both useful and decorative. Used on whip handles, knife handles, as a belt keeper and as decoration on any round object.
This book presents the most common and useful of these knots, with step-by-step instructions.
36 pages, 406 drawings.
Contents: What is a Turk's Head, Enlarging a Turk's Head, Making Large Turk's Heads from Small Ones, Make the Basic Turk's Head, Making Pairs, Splitting the Pairs, "3 Part, 2 Bight T H", "5 Part, 2 Bight TH", The Sliding Knot, "11 Part, 2 Bight TH", "7 Part, 2 Bight TH" , "15 Part, 2 Bight TH", "4 Part, 3 Bight", "5 Part, 3 Bight", "3 Part, 4 Bight", As a Neck Tie, 2nd most Popular TH For Whip Handles, "5 Part, 4 Bight", Left Hand Method, "7 Part, 4 Bight", "9 Part, 4 Bight", "3 Part, 5 Bight", "6 Part, 5 Bight", "5 Part, 6 Bight", "7 Part, 6 Bight", "13 Part, 6 Bight", "8 Part, 7 Bight", "9 Part, 7 Bight", "7 Part, 8 Bight", "9 Part, 8 Bight", "5 Part, 9 Bight", "10 Part, 9 Bight", And more ..
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#17 Crocodile Ridge Belts |
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Contains a number of methods of plaiting crocodile ridges in kangaroo hide belts.
It begins with 8 strand belts with a single centre ridge and then goes on to 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 18 plaits.
14 strand double row, 6 strand triple row and 24 strand triple row are also explained.
28 pages, 150 drawings.
Contents: 8 Strand, Knobby Croc Ridge, 10 Strand Knobby Croc Ridge, 10 Strand Herringbone Croc Ridge, 11 Strand Croc Ridge, 12 Strand Croc Ridge, Adding extra Strands, 13 Strand Croc Ridge, 14 Strand Croc Ridge, 15 Strand Croc Ridge, 16 Strand Croc Ridge, 18 Strand Croc Ridge, Multiple Row Ridges, 14 Strand Double Row, 16 Strand Triple Row, 24 Strand Triple Row Croc Ridge, Finishing off the Belt,
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#18 Bridles Plaited and Plain |
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All measurements are given for the different styles of bridles included in this book, not only plain leather ones, but the plaited type too.
Also included is a simple rope bridle for emergencies and all the knots and ends that are needed for the plaited bridles.
Contents: Measurements, Tools, How-to, Flat plait of 8 strands for brow band, Throat Latch, Cheek straps, Keepers, Exhibition Plaited Bridle, Reins, Changing flat to round reins, 8 strand button end, Two colour pineapple knot, Bridle without rings or buckles, Extended Head Bridle, Barcoo Bridle, Rope Bridle, Fiador Knot (partial).
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#20 Leather Projects 1 |
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This book gives full instructions for twelve new plaiting projects,
and is intended for the more advanced student.
It gives five belt styles, three pocket knife pouches, two sheaths for sheath knives and a pen pouch.
32 pages, 127 drawings.
Contents: Standard Plait, Herringbone Plait, Belt Plaiting Thick Leather, Side Plaiting, 3-2 Plait, 1-2-2 Plait, Knife Pouch in Steerhide Belt, Simple Plaited Knife Pouch, In-built Knife Pouch, Plaited Sheath, Knife and Steel Sheath, Pen Pouch, Loop in Secret Plait,
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#21 Leather Projects 2 |
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Though intended for experienced plaiters, a beginner will find it of interest.
Information on plaiting names into whips/belts, a new type of rocodile ridge for both the belt centre and edges, unusual ways of fastening a whip fall, plus a section on the repairing of whips and how to make a pair of plaiting pliers.
28 pages, 130 drawings.
Contents: Two Tone Pliers or Key Pouch, Plaiting Names into Whips or Belts, Annette's Braid, Crocodile Ridge Worked Later, Crocodile Ridge Edged Braid, Belt with an Odd Number of Strands, Natural Cane Handle, Replacing a Fall (Whip Making), Replacing a Keeper (Whip Making), Maurice Doohan's Hitch (Whip Making), Snake's Head Hitch (Whip Making,
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#23 Leather Projects 4 |
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The goanna neck plait, Aztec buttons, Headhunter's knot, Fishscale braid, Scobie hitch, Tile pattern hat band, some more useful Turk's-heads, Hugo's False Crocodile plait and others.
32 pages, 250 drawings.
Contents: Flat 13 Plait, 14 Strand Goanna Neck, 16 Strand Tile Pattern, Loop Ending, Simple Belt Keeper, Hugo's False Crocodile Belt, Slit Braid Belt, More Useful Turk's Heads, Aztec Button, Scobie Hitch, Fish Scale Braid, Headhunter's Knot, Mandrel, Sliding Knot for Hat Bands, More Turk's Heads, A Fancy Hat Band, Miniature Whip Hat Band, Rawhide Bullock Thongs,
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#25 Leather Projects 5 |
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With two novelties - a small leather kangaroo and a horse-head shaped can cooler.
Also instructions for a magic wallet, a headstall with fiador knot, a plaited lead, monkey chain lanyard knot, scout coil and the Idiot's Delight.
32 pages, 160 drawings.
Contents: Horse Head Cooler, Carry Kanga, Magic Wallet of 3 pieces with no stitching, Headstall with Fiador Knot, True Lover's Knot, Plaited Lead, Monkey Chain Lanyard Knot, Scout Coil, The Idiot's Delight,
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#26 Leather Projects 6 |
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Interesting projects for beginners and experts.
A mixture of plaiting and stitched projects, providing enough variety for everyone - hats, belts, bags, even a star in lace.
32 pages.
Contents: Floppy Brim Hat, Port Douglas Sennit, Army Money Belt, Beast Bag, Emerald Pattern Plaited Belt, Bluegum Plait, Belt, Chessboard Pattern Plait, laced Reins, 13 Strand Striped Pyramid Design Belt, Half Plaited Reins, 13 Part, 6 Bight Turk's Head, 4 Plait Dog Lead with Plain Handle, 8 Plait Dog Lead with Strap End, Triple Crown Knot, Horn Saw ( Pruning Saw) Pouch, Leather Splitter from a Plane Blade, Making Wide Straps with Simulated Croc Ridges, Soft Gathered Purse, Fat Chook Purse, A Star In Lace,
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#28 How to make a 6 inch Saddle |
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Gives full patterns and instructions for making a tiny Australian stock saddle, the perfect thing for a trophy or present.
Can be made with scraps of leather at almost no cost, and can be made by a beginner.
24 pages, 57 illustrations.
Contents: Making a Miniature Saddle, A Miniature Whip, A Minaiture Bridle, Minature Feed Trough,
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#29 Simplified Turk's Heads |
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This book contains all that is needed to learn the techniques, then the rest of the book consists of examples to show how the method works for different sorts of knots.
This method reduces the process down to a few rules that can be learned in a very short time.
28 pages, 196 drawings.
Contents: Part One - Standard Turk's Heads, 3 parts, 4 bights Standard Turk's Head, 7 parts, 6 bights Standard Turk's Head, 9 parts, 8 bights Standard Turk's Head, 11 parts, 10 bights Standard Turk's Head, 13 parts, 12 bights Standard Turk's Head, 15 parts, 14 bights Standard Turk's Head, 17 parts, 16 bights Standard Turk's Head, Setting up the Mandrel, Swedish Fid.
Part Two - Long Turk's Heads, 9 parts, 4 bights Long Turk's Head, 17 parts, 4 bights Long Turk's Head, 25 parts, 4 bights Long Turk's Head, 13 parts, 6 bights Long Turk's Head, 25 parts, 6 bights Long Turk's Head, 73 parts, 6 bights Long Turk's Head.
Part Three - Wide Turk's Heads 3 parts, 5 bights Wide Turk's Head, 3 parts, 8 bights Wide Turk's Head, 3 parts, 11 bights Wide Turk's Head, 3 parts, 23 bights Wide Turk's Head, 3 parts, 38 bights Wide Turk's Head, 5 parts, 9 bights Wide Turk's Head, 5 parts, 14 bights Wide Turk's Head, 5 parts, 19 bights Wide Turk's Head, 5 parts, 39 bights Wide Turk's Head, 4 parts, 7 bights Wide Turk's Head, 4 parts, 11 bights Wide Turk's Head, 4 parts, 19 bights Wide Turk's Head, 4 parts, 39 bights Wide Turk's Head.
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#30 Little Snake |
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The title comes from a neat belt plait that is a relative of another plait known as the Brown Snake.
A new heel knot is also explained and also a couple of attractive Box Patterns for the worker who likes a challenge.
36 pages, 250 illustrations.
Contents: Little Snake Plait, 15 Strands, Long Herringbone, 15 Strands, Brown Snake Plait, 17 Strands, Goanna Neck Plait, 12 Strands, Patriot Braid, 18 Strands, Fastback Edging, Rope Reins, Turk's Head 5 Parts & 8 Bights, Pineapple Knot, Bluetongue Hitch, Small Box Pattern, 9 Parts & 7 Bights , Small Box Pattern (White), Turk's Head 9 Parts & 7 Bights, Pyramid Pattern 9 Strands, Stripey Pattern 16 Strands, Heel Knot 20 Bights & 16 Parts & 4 Pass,
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Bushcraft Leatherwork Vol 8 in the Bushcraft series. |
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Click the image at left for a more detailed view of it's contents.
This Volume is devoted entirely to leatherwork and is made up of seven smaller books found above and marked with . Beginning Leatherwork, The Secret Plait, Leather Lacing Manual, Stockmen's Plaited Belts, Braided Belts, Plaits Round and Flat, Bushmen's Belt Pouches. A great book for the beginning leatherworker. 160 pages, 1100 drawings.
Because this is a much larger book than the others on this page, it has it's own page with all the details of it's contents.
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Advanced Leatherwork Vol 1, Interesting Braids and Flat Plaits |
Click the image at right for a more detailed view of it's contents.
This is the largest book on flat plaits to have been published, yet it does not cover the most common plaits! This is because they have already been covered in two other books by the same author Bush Leatherwork and More Bush Leatherwork. This book is intended for the person who already knows the basics, and is interested in developing further. Many of the plaits illustrated here are unusual, but easy to do while others are very complex and not for the faint hearted! 272 pages, hundreds of ilustrations.
Because this is a much larger book than the others on this page, it has it's own page with all the details of it's contents.
Advanced Leatherwork Vol 2, Round Knots and Braids |
Click the image at left for a more detailed view of it's contents.
The first volume of this work illustrated all the important flat plaits as well as a number of interesting small knobs and knots. This second volume deals with the round knots, those knots which are designed to wrap around any object that needs covering. Even a book this size only touches on the subject but it attempts to cover all the popular knots and some complicated ones for people who enjoy a challenge. Illustrating a round knot can be difficult, as half the knot is hidden at the back of the work, but this book leaves no steps hidden, the job is flattened so that everything is visible. Takes a bit of getting used to, but well worth it.250 pages, hundreds of illustrations. A4 size.
Because this is a much larger book than the others on this page, it has it's own page with all the details of it's contents.