If you think you know all there is to know about knots - Not!   Geoffrey has put together an easy to follow directory of knots, included terms, tips and techniques along with step by step illustrations.  The instructions are broken up by specific type knots, lanyard knots, button knots and globe knots, Turk's head knots, mats and hitching and plaits and braids.

The directory of knots list each category and then the specific knots in that chapter.  Lanyard knots is an example with blimp knot, braid knot, Chinese cloverleaf knot oblong knot, mystic knot, pectoral knot, Chinese lanyard knot, good luck knot, knife lanyard knot, foot rope knot, wall knot and Matthew Walker Knots.  Across from each listed knot is a description and page number, making it easy to pick the exact knot you would like to work.

It is easy to see a group of knots can become works of art.  A continuous repeat of a specific knot can form braids, jewelry, belts and many other wearables.  Your choice of fibers will dictate how delicate or rough your knotted piece is.  Geoffrey explains that other than going through the basic tips and techniques, you do not need to know how to do one knot before going to the next.  In other words, just pick out the knot you want,no matter which page it is on, and start.   The tips and technique pages offer very easy to follow two color/graduated shaded illustrations with arrows indicating knot path.  There is also a  list of tools with illustrations and descriptions, some requiring purchasing while others can be homemade.  Tucking cords or strands, adding and reducing strands, tightening and burying strands plus glues and hardeners is explained.  Basic knotting information such as multiple overhand knots, crown knots, overhand bend, one-way back-tucked sheet bend, tumbling thief knot and Fisherman's knots are added to the tips and techniques pages.

Some of these knots are very complex and other very simple.   Some of the knots are illustrated as flat with directional arrows of path movement, while other knots are illustrated with a three dimensional piece in the background and the knot setting on the piece and in the foreground.  Each of these three dimensional illustrations are shown in a step by step method.  There are charts for some of the knots which you can copy onto paper or a flexible card, change to your specifications, and use over and over as a reference.

I can see the plaits and braids would look lovely worked in silk yarns and threads.  Coarser fibers would lend a completely different look to the same plaits and braids.  No equipment is required other than the simple tools listed.   For these knots, macramé boards are not required.  A paragraph is provided for each knot, indicating the historical aspects of that knot.  The Spanish Hitching knots have an interesting history and can be worked into extremely attractive creations.

In this book, you will find knots from around the world, used by people of many nations.  Decorative Knots is a beautifully illustrated book and offers a myriad of knots for experimentation and design.