Overview
Knot Guide is… wait for it… wait for it… a guide… that teaches you how to tie… knots! This app features 36 different knots with simple, step-by-step photo instructions to teach you how to tie them. Since the app starts with a caution about the possible dangers of knots, I figure I should mention it here too. So, here you go: Be careful with knots. You wouldn’t want to ruin your fancy, new Sketchers.
Features
I’m not going to list them all. Besides, it probably wouldn’t mean much to you anyway. If you don’t know the knot, you don’t know the knot. “Oh, the Clove Hitch on a Bight! Glad to see they teach that one.” See what I mean. Lots of knots to choose from.
Once you choose the knot you want to learn, photos guide you through the tying process. Observe:
You can search for the perfect knot by category, like fixed loops, slip loops, stopper knots, etc. You can also browse the knots alphabetically. Options… god bless America.
Breakdown
The Good:
I’ve never been able to tie a knot. I only know the kind that you just keep tying around each other, making one giant knot that takes hours to undo. I can honestly say that this app has helped me. I tried several knots and I successfully completed them. I still can’t commit them to memory (because I have way to many movie quotes and pop culture references lodged in there), but I can at least refer to my phone for help.
The Bad:
Some of the knots are a little tricky and it can get confusing trying to figure out which side and/or loop the rope is supposed to go through. But I can say this didn’t happen often, and it wasn’t something I wasn’t able to eventually figure out, (thanks to the old trial and error method).
Verdict
You know what, for an app with a modest goal of teaching you how to tie a knot- it succeeds in flying colors. I think this is one of those apps that can be extremely useful when you're not expecting to need it. Plus, you know what? People respect those who are masters of the knot tying. Think about it. Anytime you’ve seen someone swiftly tie a rolling hitch knot- you’ve been impressed. Now you can be that person! Wow your friends!
