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“The Knottyer”


“The Knottyer”

Family picture of mom and the siblings
Young Mikko sitting and knitting

Ever since I was small I remember having an interest in the sea and doing things with my hands, often with recycled materials. As for ropework, I was also interested in knitting.

Two boys proudly holding a home mabe model boat above their heads

Many were the instruments and ships I developed from old wooden whiskey boxes in my childhood.

Two young people in a sailing dinghy

My first real boat I built of recycled panels and tarpaulin. Boating was

my big interest and to borrow my father´s boat I had to learn basic

skills in knotting and splicing.

Young boy dressed as a pirate in a small boat on a calm sea

For safety, said my father, and happily taught me skills he had learned from his father and grandfather.

Young boys on the winter sea ice with sailcraft on skiis

Not even the cold winters could keep me away from my beloved sea. Some

woodworking and  rigging jobs and my ice yacht was ready to take me to new adventures.

Launching of a wooden motorboat with snow still around

The motorboat was always launched as soon as possible.

Boy standing outside on the grass dressed in sea scout attire

It was the sea that drew me into Sea-Scouts where I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting some old-timers who taught us about ropes and knots. Not just ordinary practical knots but something even more intriguing: 

fancy knots, lanyards and mats – I was sold!

Young man in the garden in Navy uniform.

No one around me had to have a plastic key fob anymore. Naturally, in my short military career I served  in the Navy.

Wooden captains cabin bed with drawers underneath

My interest in woodworking became my profession as I studied to become a cabinet maker. My love for the sea was present even in my woodwork. As the

final ”examination work” I made a bed, inspired by S/Y Sigyns Captain´s bunk.

Green wooden sailor's chest complete with becket rope handles and wooden knobs

Above all, it was the nautical history that inspired me and one day I challenged myself by making a traditional sailor´s chest with fancy beckets. I

closely studied the beckets on an antique chest my father had and could

figure out all the knots except those in the bolt. I replaced the knots with wooden knobs that I even have today, with those beckets reminding me that life is a learning process.

Old picture frame with two men in bowler hats
Oil painting in gold frame of a sailing vessel on a stormy sea

One day my life came to a point where I had to stop and look in which direction I should continue. I have always found it easier to think while my fingers are busy so to help me I took my trusted ball of hard laid cotton cord that I had inherited from my father and started knotting. Some time earlier my father had passed away and all the material that he had collected about his grandfather’s life on board sailing ships in the late 1800’s came into my possession. Reading the book, based on this material, that my father had written about my great grandfather Albert Herman Snellman made me feel like I was sailing under his command on the seas.


Mikko Snellman

Learning about the life of seafarers during that time made a huge impact on me

Learning about the life of seafarers during that time made a huge impact on me. With Captain A.H.Snellman’s life as my inspiration I soon turned into a professional knot tyer. I closely studied my Ashley Book of Knots and took the decorative knots out of their original context and turned them into objects that are not just beautiful but are also practical. Tools that I needed I of course made myself – a habit I had learned from the old time cabinet makers during my woodworking career. Key fobs, candle holders and door knockers filled my days and soon I ran out of my inherited cords. I started looking for more cord only to find out that it was nowhere near the same quality. Stubborn as I am, I didn’t accept any poor replacement and decided to make my cords myself. Rope-making machines I naturally built myself and after long days of trial and error I managed to develop a process for making very hard laid cord on my ropewalk and to repeat the process with the same precision every time. I would never have to run out of material again!

Ropemaking tool

Currently, I make cords and tools not just for my own needs but for anyone who is interested in the noble art of knot tying. I try to balance between ropewalk and knotting since my mind and fingers need to be occupied from time to time with tying beautiful works of art. As collecting all the knowledge I needed for decorative knotting required me to do a lot of work, I try to smooth the way for upcoming knot artists by holding courses in ropework and knotting, as well as making tutorial videos for easier learning.

“Welcome to the incredible world of knot tying”

– Mikko Snellman

Prices

(for 10 m (33ft) hanks)

Nr
mm
Plain Cotton
Colored Cotton
Linen (flax)

#2

1,5

3,60€

3,80€

3,90€

#3

2,0

3,90€

4,10€

4,20€

#4

2,5

4,20€

4,50€

4,70€

#6

3,0

4,60€

5,00€

5,30€

#8

3,5

5,20€

5,80€

6,10€

#10

4,0

5,80€

6,40€

6,90€

#12

4,5

6,10€

6,90€

7,20€