I use this website all the time:
https://www.animatedknots.com/
Someday I'll buy the Ashley Book of Knots, and on that day I'll truly begin my journey into middle age.
https://www.animatedknots.com/
Someday I'll buy the Ashley Book of Knots, and on that day I'll truly begin my journey into middle age.
The ABoK was something I always wanted to see, but never bothered to buy... until I found that PDF. Scrolling through it finally convinced me to buy a hardcopy. It's one of my favorite books to just flip through. There's more than just the knots: the history and the anecdotes are a fascinating window into the past.
I disagree. The Ashley Book does not give in-depth step-by-step details, but it gives enough. You may have to train your brain a bit, but it's not all that difficult. It seems like I reference my copy every week or so for one thing or another.
If there is a complaint about the Ashley book, it's that it was written at a time before synthetic fibers. Some knots may require modifications, and all splices should be increased in length to account for the differences.
For a single reference book, it covers so much quite well, and the index is a marvel. It deserves a place on your shelf.
You could probably find it at your local library.
Most of the knots in it are either decorative, useless, or just a renamed version of a different knot.
Maybe you're thinking of a different book?
I've had mine for near 20 years now and only ever bothered learning one knot out of it, #599 The Chinese Button knot, which I find relaxing. I wouldn't recommend it as the first book you buy on the subject, but maybe as the third or final book, when you have a feel for tying. The instructions are there for the best way of tying a bowline #1010, but a beginner would struggle.
Nevertheless, it remains in the category of Far More Than You Ever Wanted To Know.
I’ll share an image of my order history if you want