Nautical Interest >> Book Reviews

The Ashley Book of Knots

A Book Review

This book is the heavyweight reference on knots of all sorts (so is the price, so do not be alarmed when you go looking for it online or wherever). Ashley has compiled 4,000 knots and includes 7,000 illustrations in this book. If you need a knot whether for rigging, decoration or just around the house or boat, the chances are it is in here.

The knots are well organized by type, include textual instructions and step by step illustrations. The history, evolution and employment of the knot, and often the inventor, are included, making this a valuable reference for people serious about their knotwork.

This is what the cover of the paperback version looks like. I picked it up about twenty years ago at a Coles bookstore. You probably won't see many of these around, and the hardcover edition probably last longer and stand up to more handling anyway.

(Psst: Lee Valley has this book at a pretty good price.)

The Ashley Book of Knots
Clifford W. Ashley
ISBN 0385040253
November 1999 by Doubleday
Copyright© 1947

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