Author Archives: Greg Merritt

Knotted Pulls are the Goal

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I can almost hear you screaming at me through the internet, “What’s with all the knot tying!?”.  So I thought I had better create this post so that you can better understand where I’m heading with all the knots that … Continue reading →

Posted in Knot Tying | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Wall Knot

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The wall knot is the reverse of the crown knot.  Like the crown knot, the wall knot is of limited use by itself.  However, when used is combination with other knots, the wall knot is the basis for a number of practical … Continue reading →

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The Crown Knot

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The crown knot, in and of itself it has very little use.  So why did I go to all of the trouble of creating an instructional drawing and writing this post?  The crown knot, along with  the soon to be introduced wall … Continue reading →

Posted in Illustrating, Knot Tying | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

How Can I Make a Living as an Artisan?

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Greg Merritt

This is a question that is often asked on forums.  People discover that they like to work with their hands and dream about it becoming their day job. I think this notion is almost as popular as stealing away to a tropical … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts-Views | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Geometric Construction-Octagon from a Square

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Greg Merritt

If you work wood sooner or later you will need to create an Octagon from a Square.  Maybe you are preparing a table leg, creating a table top or maybe a lamp base.  You may want to layout a picture or … Continue reading →

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Lanyard Knot-Photo Tutorial

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I thought a few photos may be useful for those of you who are trying to learn to tie the lanyard knot.  I do not show the loop being passed through an object here but you will obviously need to … Continue reading →

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The Constrictor Knot

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The constrictor knot is a very effective binding knot and was first termed by Clifford Ashley in his seminal work, “The Ashley Book of Knots“.  Although Mr. Ashley implied that he invented the knot, further research has shown that the knot … Continue reading →

Posted in Illustrating, Knot Tying | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

End Tables Part 1

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The current Woodworking Masterclasses series is a sofa table.  The high narrow type that is most typically found placed behind the sofa.  The series is a primer on building tables and is presented in Paul Sellers usual thorough manner.  If … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, End Tables, Illustrating | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Build Yourself a Fid

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The fid is a simple shaping project that will yield a very useful tool if you are going to undertake knot tying.  In my layout 1/4D=6mm chisel.  You can use 1/4″-3/8″ or 6mm-10mm chisel to set the width of 1/4D.  Then … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Fid, Illustrating, Knot Tying | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fid and Marlinspike

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The fid and the marlinspike are the knot tyer’s most trusted tool.  I suspect that its been that way since humans first started tying knots and discovered that a sharp stick could make it all the easier.  The distinction between … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Knot Tying | Tagged , , | 11 Comments