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Comment by aimor | Hacker News Reader

Home for the holidays I found my copy of the Klutz book of Knots. I spent an hour on the floor having fun, took the book home, and have been referencing it all year for everything from shoelaces to extension cords.

Some are more eternal than others (Icky Poo) but as a child I never had one that I didn't completely devour. Any time I need a gift for a friend's young child, Klutz immediately comes to mind.

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I was wondering how the OP could have neglected to mention the klutz book of knots! It came with two lengths of rope (one red one blue, just like the illustrations). I still regularly use the bowline, sheet bend, and clove hitch - although my bowline technique is quite different (and much faster) these days.

The juggling book also worked for me. Good times.

Because I never had the knots book! And my knots are still suffering for it (I lost a fishing lure yesterday as a direct result of not having this Klutz book as a kid).

I loved the knots book. It turned me on to Clifford Ashley, and also got me questioning the gospel according to Boy Scouts. BSA taught me that the square knot was some kind of lifesaver, and here Klutz was telling me it was the worst knot ever.

It's a small thing, but that was kind of a big moment for me in terms of developing my critical thinking.

Also taught me the constrictor knot, which I have used instead of the clove hitch ever since.

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