Jump to content
Guild President
Colin Byfleet
Vice President
Prof Vaughan Jones FRS
Vice President
Nigel Harding

Past Presidents

The International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT) is an association of people with interests in knots and knotting techniques of all kinds.

We have over a thousand members world-wide, from all walks of life, including academics, surgeons, sailors, sportsmen and women, scouters, magicians, farmers, miners and accountants. Membership is open to anyone interested in knotting (whether expert or simply hoping to learn from others).

French Meeting

The AGM of IGKT France is being held in the beautiful village of Collioure on the Mediterranean coast, just west of Perpignan, on 23 - 24 March 2013. This is the first such meeting meeting in the south of France and you will be made very welcome by our French colleagues. Details from Jean-Pierre Durand.

KEN ELLIOTT

15.7.1931 — 16.12.2012

Ken Elliott, Solent Branch Member, Crossed the Bar at 18.30hrs on the 26th December 2012 in QA Hospital Portsmouth after a brave fight.

Ken joined the Royal Navy In 1948, as an Ordinary Seaman at HMS Impregnable in Devonport. Some thirty years later he retired with the rank of Lieutenant (SD) (Boatswain). During those years he served on ships large and small, one of note was as' Boatswain' on 'The Royal Yacht' HMY Britannia.

Ken joined the Guild in 1999 together with his longstanding friend and fellow Boatswain, Bob Pearce, and they attended the meeting at Mount Brown Guildford. Thereafter he attended many other IGKT meetings near and far including South Carolina, USA. Ken was an active member of the IGKT Solent Branch, working at shows and events year on year, including our displays on the Lower Gun Deck of HMS Victory every week in August.

As part of his many craft skills Ken was a past master at covering bottles with fine Macramé and was always willing to pass on his gems of wisdom and skills. One of his sayings was "Yes, it is only a five minute job, but with forty years practice". On more than one occasion, folk travelled from overseas to sit with Ken just to get the hands-on tips, first hand and learn from the master.

As many of you know he was not a large man in stature, and would often introduce himself as 'Little Ken', however, this gentleman will leave a big hole in our hearts.

Yours Aye

Ken Yalden

Remembrance Book.

What Does The IGKT Do?

We are an educational non-profit making organisation dedicated to furthering interest in practical, recreational and theoretical aspects of knotting. Our aim is to preserve traditional knotting techniques and promote the development of new techniques for new material and applications. We attend public events to advertise the Guild and its work, and conduct talks and demonstrations by arrangement with interested groups. We keep in touch with each other by correspondence, by holding regular meetings and exhibitions at both international and regional levels.

The Guild also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Knotting Matters.

Latest Forum Announcements…

Knotting Events News Feeds:
RSS 2 events feed
RSS 0.91 events feed

Extract of the Objectives of the IGKT

  1. Promote research into all aspects of knotting
  2. Act as a primary source of reference and consultation
  3. Publish a periodical […] about knot crafts and related subjects
  4. Form and maintain a library of books, papers, films, photographs and other materials associated with knots. […] with a view to making information availabe to Members of the Guild and the general public
  5. Form collection of knots and knotting and work related crafts
  6. Promote and encourage knotting as an element in the education of children and young persons, and as a therapy for those who may benefit from such remedial activity
  7. Further promote the interest in knotting and associated activities, through its members, to the general public

IGKT Council of Trustees

Other Guild Officials


A list of Guild trustees can also be found on the Charity Commission web site using our reference number – 802153.

Please address all written correspondence to:
The Honorary Secretary
78 Marlborough Avenue
KIDLINGTON
OX5 2AP