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’ll share an image of my order history if you want
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.