Usage
The class of knots known as Turk's Heads are essentially continuous braids. Turk's Head knots can be either flat, forming a decorative mat, or in ring form that can be tied around and attached to a pole or staff. This second form is sometimes called a "Woggle" by the Boy Scouts and is used as a neckerchief slide.
History
According to Clifford Ashley, the name "Turk's Head" first appears in published form in Darcy Lever's
The Sheet Anchor (1808), but the knot is much older. In fact, drawings by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century show a number of Turk's Head knots in mat form, similar to the one shown here. There is evidence that the knot was known by the ancient Romans, as it appears in a number of mosaic works of art.
Also known as
- Turk's Head 3 Lead 5 Bight
- THK
- Sailor's knot
ABOK
Structure
The Turk's Head depicted here is of the form 3 Lead, 5 Bight or, in abbreviated notation, 3L5B. The
leads refer to the number of strands that compose the braid prior to any additional rethreading passes. The
bights refer to the number of curved sides on the outside edge of the knot. The 3 lead version shown here is essentially a common 3 strand braid, also demonstrated in the
Single Rope Braid. By adding more leads and bights very complex and beautiful patterns can be created. The related
Double Coin Knot is one of the most basic of Turk's Head Knots.
Note
The method demonstrated above is used for creating a flat Turk's Head mat. To create a ring or "
Woggle" version, the strands are tied around one's fingers or directly onto a pole or staff and the tying procedure is somewhat different and more akin to the
Single Rope Braid tying method. The Turk's Head pictured here can be worked into the ring form and used as a Woggle, it just takes a bit more effort.
