The creation of covers for boat fenders using rope can be classified as one of the macramé techniques. The term macramé comes from Arabic word "migramah" meaning "fringe". After the Moorish conquest, the art was taken to Spain, Italy and then spread through Europe. Sailors made macramé objects in off hours while at sea, and sold or bartered them when they landed. Beside hammocks, bell fringes and belts they made knotted fenders, produced entirely by natural materials. The exterior part of the knotted fender was made of linen, hemp, jute or sisal, while the interior was filled with worn rope remnants and fabric scraps (from sails, clothes, sheets).
Nowadays, the traditionally knotted fenders are really a rarity. The tradition of knotting fenders is barely alive among old fishermen end sailing enthusiasts, so that only a few specimens of such fenders can be found around. The analysis of their structure made possible to determine which techniques were used by fishermen for knotting, revealing that the simplest type of knots were used, i.e. forms of hitching: sometimes a full hitch, double half hitch, half hitches, but mostly a continuous hitching and a varieties with one or more central rope guides.
The simple continuous hitching as the simplest method of knotting was used for the ferders of Koštanca project, which requires only one working end. Other varieties require a second rope for guide or more of them as central guides, but the knotting process is mostly the same.
At least so far, there are a few websites (or even none) that extesively describe the entire process of knotting a rope cover for fenders. Due to the growing interest among enthusiasts of traditionally built boats and ships I decided to describe the key phases (milestones) in the process of boat's fender making.
At least so far, there are a few websites (or even none) that extesively describe the entire process of knotting a rope cover for fenders. Due to the growing interest among enthusiasts of traditionally built boats and ships I decided to describe the key phases (milestones) in the process of boat's fender making.
KNOTTED ROPE COVER FOR BOAT FENDERS - INSTRUCTIONS PDF (view)
