What do you think?
Rate this book
The Klutz Book of Knots
Knot-tying for the landlubber. Nylon cord, color-coded to the illustrations, is tied through the holes on each heavy-stock page, allowing the reader to practice all 24 knots right there on the premises. A unique gift, intriguing puzzle, practical tool and entertaining book... all tied up together. Comes 5 feet of nylon cord • Create wonderful things • Be good • Have fun
21 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 15, 2025
Perfect for campers and canoeists!
In the outdoors, knowing and tying the right knot in the right circumstances can save your food, your canoe, your self respect and even your life. The KLUTZ BOOK OF KNOTS is not the right choice for a sailor looking to win rigging contests. It certainly isn't the choice for someone looking to set records with the world's fanciest macramé creations. Nor is it appropriate for someone looking to begin a course in rock climbing. But it IS a superb primer of the very best set of basic and not quite so basic knot skills for someone who wants to develop an indispensable repertoire for use in the context of hiking, canoeing and backcountry camping - bowline, half hitches, tautline hitches, trucker's hitch, figure eight, double figure eight, figure eight on a bite, sheet bend and more.
You'll not only learn how to tie the knot but also how to tighten the knot and which context is correct for which knot. For example, you will learn that the choice between a bowline and two half-hitches depends on whether the rope you are working with needs to be snug to the attachment ring or post.
And what a brilliant idea ... the book's pages are made of heavy cardboard and are perforated so that the reader can practice with the supplied rope tying the knot to the page of the book directly over top of the illustration. Even a klutz can learn with great tools like that! Oh yeah ... I guess that's the whole point, isn't it?
And a bonus for those of us whose hiking boots or running shoes are constantly coming undone ... an absolutely bombproof way of tying up your shoes with a knot that simply will not loosen but is still a slip knot and comes undone with a simple one handed tug. I fell in love with that one! Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
In the outdoors, knowing and tying the right knot in the right circumstances can save your food, your canoe, your self respect and even your life. The KLUTZ BOOK OF KNOTS is not the right choice for a sailor looking to win rigging contests. It certainly isn't the choice for someone looking to set records with the world's fanciest macramé creations. Nor is it appropriate for someone looking to begin a course in rock climbing. But it IS a superb primer of the very best set of basic and not quite so basic knot skills for someone who wants to develop an indispensable repertoire for use in the context of hiking, canoeing and backcountry camping - bowline, half hitches, tautline hitches, trucker's hitch, figure eight, double figure eight, figure eight on a bite, sheet bend and more.
You'll not only learn how to tie the knot but also how to tighten the knot and which context is correct for which knot. For example, you will learn that the choice between a bowline and two half-hitches depends on whether the rope you are working with needs to be snug to the attachment ring or post.
And what a brilliant idea ... the book's pages are made of heavy cardboard and are perforated so that the reader can practice with the supplied rope tying the knot to the page of the book directly over top of the illustration. Even a klutz can learn with great tools like that! Oh yeah ... I guess that's the whole point, isn't it?
And a bonus for those of us whose hiking boots or running shoes are constantly coming undone ... an absolutely bombproof way of tying up your shoes with a knot that simply will not loosen but is still a slip knot and comes undone with a simple one handed tug. I fell in love with that one! Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
February 4, 2015
A hugely fun way to learn how to tie some invaluable knots.
My clothesline is so much easier to manage since I learnt the Tautline Hitch; and it's ALWAYS good to check that one hasn't forgotten how to tie a Bowline (best practiced in cold, wet, adverse conditions) because tied correctly it can literally be a lifesaver.
This is a nice-sized book to pop in a handbag to usefully occupy the time on a long journey.
Similar to making string figures (games), knot tying in public can also be a great conversation starter!
My clothesline is so much easier to manage since I learnt the Tautline Hitch; and it's ALWAYS good to check that one hasn't forgotten how to tie a Bowline (best practiced in cold, wet, adverse conditions) because tied correctly it can literally be a lifesaver.
This is a nice-sized book to pop in a handbag to usefully occupy the time on a long journey.
Similar to making string figures (games), knot tying in public can also be a great conversation starter!
February 14, 2008
i've forgotten most of the knots in this book. But i still use the improved shoe-tying technique (takes a second more and some getting sued to but it sure does work!) and i'm pretty sure i could tie two seat belts together in an emergency.
October 9, 2016
I like that this book has cardboard pages with holes in them, so that you can practice tying your knot right there, on top of and next to the directions.
Read
November 22, 2014fantastic book! Must for every boy
March 7, 2016
Useful and effective in teaching knots.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews