Knots are familiar objects. Yet the mathematical theory of knots quickly leads to deep results in topology and geometry. This work offers an introduction to this theory, starting with our understanding of knots. It presents the applications of knot theory to modern chemistry, biology and physics.

Master 100 essential outdoor knots with help from John Sherry, the world's leading knot-tying educator! Based on the wildly successful Pro-Knot cards and Sherry's own NetKnots.com website, Knot It! is an unprecedented resource for novices and masters alike. Full-color pages clearly illustrate knot-tying instructions for 100 must-learn knots, plus clever uses and other essential information. The hardcover book also comes with a set of John's coveted 1,000,000-copy selling Pro-Knot cards: 5 waterproof, vinyl, quick-reference cards you can take literally anywhere! Knot It! also includes a length of high-grade paracord rope to practice with.

Des Pawson has been a professional ropeworker for more than 25 years. His passion for knots goes back to the time when, aged 7, he was given a book with some knots in it. He has studied knots and sailors' ropework ever since. Over that time he has built up a number of recipe books containing the information required to make each item, whether it is a key fob, fender, mat or knife lanyard. Des Pawson's Knot Craft contains a selection from those recipe books, giving the reader the basic designs, illustrating which knots and sennits are used to make them. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to put the knots together as well as the size and lengths of materials required. Many books have been published on how to tie practical knots but not many books give help in putting the knots together to make an object.

This book offers a new, easily remembered system of knotting; examples of the most widely used knots are shown together with new knots for the same job, thus enabling the reader to develop an extensive repertoire of knots for a wide variety of practical purposes. t

This book brings together twenty essays on diverse topics in the history and science of knots. It is divided into five parts, which deal respectively with knots in prehistory and antiquity, non-European traditions, working knots, the developing science of knots, and decorative and other aspects of knots.Its authors include archaeologists who write on knots found in digs of ancient sites (one describes the knots used by the recently discovered Ice Man); practical knotters who have studied the history and uses of knots at sea, for fishing and for various life support activities; a historian of lace; a computer scientist writing on computer classification of doilies; and mathematicians who describe the history of knot theories from the eighteenth century to the present day.In view of the explosion of mathematical theories of knots in the past decade, with consequential new and important scientific applications, this book is timely in setting down a brief, fragmentary history of mankind's oldest and most useful technical and decorative device — the knot.

“Mr. Petit is the perfect teacher” in this fascinating, educational volume on knot-tying—an art and science that has held civilization together (The Wall Street Journal). Philippe Petit is known for his astounding feat of daring when, on August 7, 1974, he stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York City. But beyond his balance, courage, and showmanship, there was one thing Petit had to be absolutely certain of—his knots. Without the confidence that his knots would hold, he never would have left the ground. In fact, while most of us don’t think about them beyond tying our shoelaces, the humble knot is crucial in countless contexts, from sailing to sports to industrial safety to art, agriculture, and more. In this truly unique book, Petit offers a guide to tying over sixty of his essential knots, with practical sketches illustrating his methods and clear tying instructions. Filled with photos in which special knots were used during spectacular high-wire walks, quirky knot trivia, personal anecdotes, helpful tips, magic tricks, and special tying challenges, Why Knot? will entertain and educate readers of all ages. “In reading Philippe’s book we are cogently reminded that without the ability to secure a rope, or tether a goat, or make fast the sheets of a galley, much of the civilization that we take for granted would disappear as easily as a slipknot in the hands of a Vegas conjuror.” —Sting, musician and activist “His descriptions are clear, he deploys humor frequently and he makes his points with anecdotes that are colorful and memorable. Explaining the purpose and creation of knots and thanks to those flawless drawings Mr. Petit earns perfect marks.” —The Wall Street Journal

This text provides easy-to-follow instructions for selecting and tying more than 100 of the most useful knots. With knots for climbing, sailing and fishing, every knot contains information on its history and development, alternative names and its uses.

The complete and definitive bible of knots for seafarers. Featuring all the knots, hitches, bends, splices, whipping and decorative knotwork that you would find on a boat, this comprehensive bible of knots will help those who go to sea master every knot they will need. Over 200 knots are scored for strength, reliability, ease of tying (and untying) and usefulness. Step by step photographs show how to tie each knot, and demonstrate how they can be used, such as in the rigging or for tying boats up. Interesting knot know-how sections give extra information about the knot's history, plus helpful tips and techniques, including choosing the right rope for the right task and using the right knot. With a beautiful modern design, and highly illustrated with full colour photographs and instructive diagrams throughout, The Knot Bible remains accessible to all sailors of all levels of experience whilst still being the king of knot books.

Knot Theory, a lively exposition of the mathematics of knotting, will appeal to a diverse audience from the undergraduate seeking experience outside the traditional range of studies to mathematicians wanting a leisurely introduction to the subject. Graduate students beginning a program of advanced study will find a worthwhile overview, and the reader will need no training beyond linear algebra to understand the mathematics presented. The interplay between topology and algebra, known as algebraic topology, arises early in the book when tools from linear algebra and from basic group theory are introduced to study the properties of knots. Livingston guides readers through a general survey of the topic showing how to use the techniques of linear algebra to address some sophisticated problems, including one of mathematics's most beautiful topics—symmetry. The book closes with a discussion of high-dimensional knot theory and a presentation of some of the recent advances in the subject—the Conway, Jones, and Kauffman polynomials. A supplementary section presents the fundamental group which is a centerpiece of algebraic topology.