Bookbinding Knots: Square, Kettle, Weavers Knot // Adventures in Bookbinding

[@FireheadLazzo]

I think the rest of my life will now be viewed in terms of before and after learning about the weaver's knot.

[@martinnyberg6553]

8:29 I love how your inner experimental physicist/mathematician/scout/sailor could not resist exploring the topology of that knot. I also had to do the same thing, but since I did it with only one string, my knot turned into a bowline hitch. :)

[@LucrataNexarii]

Here I am again, coming back for that reference on the weaver's knot. I am working on what I call my 'comically large sketch-tome,' with my pauper's tools at hand. Let us hope for success, and the return of your great videos!

[@whereisthatbustlingmarketp4227]

For someone with absolutely no knowledge of knows, this was very useful! :)

[@kreativekymona]

I'm blown away by the weaver's knot 😮!!!

[@neofliermike]

I didn't know about the weaver's knot, wow, thank you! Click!

[@Aba_Dagnew]

Keep the good job. You are a very helping & kind human being.

[@anthonyi6572]

I love looking through my copy of Ashley’s Book of Knots.

[@andrewmiddlemiss8610]

Brilliant demonstration of knots;! love the way that you show how to again without comment - it is so useful. Thank you!

[@Misstucci]

I can never remember the Weaver's knot so here I am again! Cheers! Hope to see you back at it soon!

[@marybarratt2649]

I do my weaver’s knot. Slightly differently but no matter the method it can be frustrating some days. It does teach you a lesson in patience. Tku for a really useful tutorial.

[@illawallaroo]

Loving this! The weaver’s knot is life-changing! (Hello from an Aussie living in the States; family live in Sandgate, north of Brissy.)

[@RileytheWyrd]

The weaver's knot looks amazing! I can't wait to try it!

[@sarahcowan1489]

This was a great description of different knots to use. Especially the weavers knot, I'm going to purposely use less thread on my next project to try it out. Thank you.

[@justinothais]

Thank you! It was very clarifying. I thought I was making a mistake because it was sliding.

[@squ1sh]

I figured out why my knot doesn't snap sometimes. It depends on which way you "fold" your loops. If you do them mirrored it will work. If I'm holding the thread left to right in a straight line, I push the right side behind the left for the first loop. Second loop I push the left over the right. If I do "left under right" x2 or "right under right" x2 I don't get a snap. I hope that explanation makes sense, if not I'll ... figure out a way to illustrate it.

[@DASBookbinding]

Cool! Depending on the thread it will still twist as you tighten it occasionally/regularly and not snap. That is my experience anyway. Someone else showed me a foolproof way of doing it, and same thing:) All the best, DAS

[@thenamelessrat]

Oh this is so useful, I'd just been tying plain old double knots when I ran out and taking a new piece of thread; that weavers' knot looks brilliant! You explain them so well, thank you.

[@EdwinMendez91074]

Thank you. I'm a few projects into my practice in bookbinding and it's always a challenge to remember how to make a weaver's knot. This video is very helpful. Thank you again.

[@kochamtrufle]

Your channel is amazing. Thank you!!!

[@Gramofonen]

Great video :) making my first book right now. Your videos are helping tremendously. Thank you!

[@smazumdar33]

Really love your works. Thanks for all the help.

[@cathaire]

Very helpful videos, especially the examples of the particular knot in actual use...& trouble shooting tips too! Thank you!

[@colinsmith6116]

Very useful. Thank you.

[@glen-y8p]

Thank you so much, you explain the knots so well. I’m hoping to start my first project soon and your videos are helping me feel a lot more confident about the methods I’ll use.

[@DASBookbinding]

Good luck! DAS

[@lizmitchellfineart]

Thank you for such a good description and demonstration. Really love your videos. They're so helpful. I'm working on a wrapped cord binding with integrated headbands. It's good to know your videos are there when I get myself in a jam.

[@DASBookbinding]

You had me with wrapped cord binding. aka sewn on raised cords I'm guessing. Good luck! DAS

[@lizmitchellfineart]

@@DASBookbinding Yes, basic raised supports with integrated endbands.

[@mlhrlmah]

i just recently got into bookbinding and all your videos on the basics are so helpful. thank you so much :)

[@SanSeriffe]

The way to stop the Weaver's knot slipping seems to be to make sure the slip knot is loose before you pull the on the extension thread, so the thread you are extending can be pulled through the loop and locked.

[@DASBookbinding]

Yep, that works. But one of the features of the knot is the ability to slide it around and position it accurately. This approach isn't as good at positioning the knot. But, yes, it works.

[@thinkingahead6750]

When you have a problem with the weaver's knot, I think the problem may be the the loop gets a 180 degree twist before you poke the old thread through. The loop and tail should be in a straight line with the new thread. It is a bit difficult to see but if the loop does get that rotation I can't see that it would work. Also, just a comment, I always leave the needle on when tying the knots. I find it less fiddly especially with those reef knots. Just hold the free end and weave the needle through to make the knot. :) Hope it works.

[@DASBookbinding]

A few (or more) years ago in a workshop someone told me they had the secret to making the weavers knot work every time, and it was exactly as you mention. So for a few months I would fiddle around with getting the twist out, and I found that if the thread wants to twist, it will as you tighten it up. I didn't find it made any difference except I spent a bit of time getting rid of the twist. And now every time I do a weavers knot and it didn't have a twist in the bight, yet it still fails to click I think of this person:) But I'm glad it works for you! DAS

[@-----REDACTED-----]

From the looks of it I reckon the important bit to look for when doing the weaver’s knot is to make sure the constricting part of the knot that spawns the loop is wide enough for the string to be tied on to slip through the constricting know but not the loop

[@DASBookbinding]

I think it works best of this loop is a bit tight, and then you get the very satisfying click when it locks. Some people say that you need to stop the loop (the bight) from twisting. Micheal Burke has a trick to stop this twisting (I seem to remember he puts and opposite twist in while inserting the bight) I practiced this at the time but didn't see a difference. Might be I wasn;t doing it right. All the best, DAS

[@Gonzonian33]

This is awesome!

[@artsynight3942]

Super helpful, thank you!!!

[@DASBookbinding]

You're so welcome! DAS

[@yaolin1501]

Could you please make a video about different kinds of threads for bookbindings?

[@DASBookbinding]

I wish my knowledge was broad enough to do this. There are so many types of thread and cord used by bookbinders and I use just a few. I use different weights of linen for sewing and hemp/cotton/linen for cords. I wrote a blog post about linen thread. dasbookbinding.com/2019/04/05/needle-and-thread/ All the best, DAS

[@mohammedzoraizzulqarnain6364]

Hey, I tried doing the weaver knot and I've tried it many times but the thread just pulls out even if I tie the knot really tightly. Any hints?

[@DASBookbinding]

It is hard one to describe in words. Some people swear the secret is to not let the second loop twist. I don't think it makes much of a difference. Good luck! DAS

[@izzyblackwater2677]

Hi, thank you for very informative video. I was wondering, is there any type of knot to use in case you run out of the thread on a binding which is visible on the bookcover-such as japanese one? So it won´t be visible too much. Thank you!

[@DASBookbinding]

A square knot or the weavers knot are about as small as they get and are secure. I think in your case you position the knot so it gets pulled into the book block. Hope that helps. DAS

[@izzyblackwater2677]

@@DASBookbinding yes, thank you! :)

[@The_Altered]

I have a quick question, maybe not so quick, how do you determine thread size when sewing signatures, I have 28 signatures of four 8.5x11 sheets for a total of 8 leafs per signature, how do you know the thread size to counter the excessive swell off the text block?

[@DASBookbinding]

Check out this video, it should help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3bPmIuHd5Wnq7c

[@The_Altered]

@@DASBookbinding thank you very much! The video helped tremendously!

[@The_Altered]

@DASbookbinding especially the part of calculating the swell percentage and preferred swell percentage

[@joshmccorkle3042]

Can I ask how you've threaded your needle for binding? It looks like you've not doubled it over like you would a sewing needle and polyester thread. Is there a certain knot you use for the needle?

[@DASBookbinding]

No, single thread. I think I show in the video how I pierce the thread and pull it back over the eye to stop the needle coming off the thread. Ciao, DAS

[@nashvillain171]

I'm loving these instructional videos. But I have to say: that left hand in the thumbnail looks more like a foot! 😜

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry, I hate it too. I keep forgetting to get my son to help me get a new photo. It took me ages to work out thumbnails and I was anxious to try and get them on most of my videos. Will fix asap.

[@nashvillain171]

@@DASBookbinding No, it's awesome!

[@DASBookbinding]

@@nashvillain171 Nope:)

[@karadarcy8194]

My thread has a tendency to snap while trying to tighten a weavers knot. Do you have any suggestions?

[@DASBookbinding]

You're either very strong or the thread isn't as strong as the linen I like to use. Maybe just use a square knot? DAS

[@greengohm]

Serious question: why we should not use reef knot to connect threads? I tried doing that and neither knot was bigger, nor the threads were sliding. And it works every time.

[@DASBookbinding]

Yes, a reef knot is fine to join thread. The weavers knot is traditionally used because it is supposed to be better for careful positioning of the knot. For instance in the last video I wanted the knot right up against the supports. It tends to be hard to position anyway. Plus it gives bookbinding instructors something to fill out a weekend course:) All the best, DAS

[@greengohm]

@@DASBookbinding haha! That makes perfect sense. Thank you!

[@Vicius_IASL]

Uhmm you did the square knot right over oeft then left UNDER right, so not hehe

[@ezekielsamuel4001]

Sub titles is covering the view of you binding its finding difficult to follow

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry. I didn't know I had subtitles. I'll have to think about this for future videos. DAS

[@cathaire]

If I go to the three vertical dots on the upper left of my screen (im using an iphone) theres an option to turn off CC!)

[@greengohm]

Also you can quickly turn the subtitles on & off by pressic `c` on the keyboard.

[@Leo1406hongkong]

Very practical!! Thank you!