Knot Today
Traditional sailor knots turned into contemporary keepsakes.
There are some things you probably don't expect to learn on a Virgin Voyages ship.
Making a Carrick Bend mat might be one of them.
Knot Today takes the traditional craft of sailor knotting and turns it into a relaxed, tactile experience where Sailors learn a skill and leave with something they've actually made.
The starting point was maritime history. Rope and knot work have been part of life at sea for centuries, even if the workings of a modern cruise ship mean guests rarely see much evidence of them.
That gave us something lovely to play with: an old seafaring skill brought back into view in a completely contemporary setting.
Hosted by one of Virgin Voyages' Artists, the experience introduces the knots gradually before turning them into objects people might genuinely want to keep.
Behind the curtain
Knowing which knots to use took some testing.
We worked with Carol, a craft and textiles expert, experimenting with different knots, rope and potential finished pieces before running test classes to see what people could comfortably achieve within the experience.
The final selection became four projects of increasing complexity: a Figure Eight key ring or bag charm, Ringbolt Hitch and Snake Knot charm, Figure Eight and Toggle Button bracelet, and the considerably trickier Carrick Bend Mat, which can become a coaster or pot stand.
The rope itself is new. Sustainability wasn't the story here and we didn't want to manufacture one.
The story is the craft.
Learning something people have been doing at sea for generations, then walking away with a little piece of it in your pocket.
