Linen Knot Belt--Support Documentation

Linen Knot Belt Support Documentation

Linen is one of the strongest and smoothest fibers. These qualities make it most suitable for belts, purses, ornaments and household purposes. If the linen is spun with enough twist it does not abrade during excessive knotting. This is true even for tow linen (sample L1). I have also found that soaking the linen cord in corn starch and then drying prepares the it for any knotting project (sample L2).
	First tight singles were spun, wet. Singles are not suitable for knotting (sample L3). The singles were wound into balls and placed in large butter tubs filled with water. The soaked condition of the linen made it more supple and plied easier. Excess water was squeezed out between my thumb and fore finger as twist was controlled and the cord wound onto the bobbin. From the bobbin the cord was skeined and washed in hot soapy water then placed on a yarn blocker to dry. I used this method with all the linen threads, two plies, three plies and four plies (sample L4).
The smoother the cord the more defined the knot. I found that of all the fibers experimented with linen produced the nicest knots. Line linen, producing the smoothest cord, yielded the finest knots (sample L5). It is heavenly to work with. The knots tighten well. The cord slips easily during tying. It feels good on your hands. To finish the knot, wash in very hot water with a small amount of bleach. After rinsing it was block an dry flat. For extra body you can starch the knots.

Sample L1
3 ply tow, not starched Sample L2, 3 ply tow, starched Note how the cord looks thicker.

Sample L3
Single, tow linen	Clover leaf knot from tow single

Sample L4
Line linen singles	4 ply tow, "ears" want to split, not elegant

Sample L5
Navajo 3 ply, too difficult to control	3 ply from line
2 ply from line	Brocade knot from 3 ply line linen, wonderful, does not split
Flat or square knot from 2 ply line, heavenly	Flat knot from 2 ply line

Index