Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper takes place on an island off the coast of New England in the 19th century, where the whaling industry is king. With sailing such an important part of the story — and considering the book’s striking cover — we thought today we’d explore some of the most common types of sailor’s knots.
The Celtic Heart Knot
This is the one you see on the cover of Salt & Storm. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create the Celtic heart knot, or watch this video tutorial:
Bowline Knot
This knot has been used by sailors for over 500 years, and is considered one of the most essential knots for sailing and boating. (And for you landlubbers, it’s also the perfect knot for hanging a hammock!) See a step-by-step tutorial here, or watch this video tutorial:
Figure 8 Knot
Besides just being pretty, the figure 8 knot is used as a “stopper” to prevent the rest of your line from slipping out of sight. It’s also fairly easy to undo, although that also means it doesn’t always hold well compared to other “stopper” knots like the overhand knot.
Check out a step-by-step tutorial here, or watch the video:
Carrick Bend Knot
Almost like a double-figure 8, the carrick bend knot is used to link two lines together. Here is a step-by-step tutorial, or watch the video:
Anchor Hitch or Fisherman’s Hitch Knot
Used primarily for tying rope to an anchor or other item, here are instructions on how to tie one, or watch the video tutorial here:
Learn more knots here!
Novel Novice 