Peppy Square

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The square knot has a reputation as the “black sheep” of knots. But did you know that it has a rightful place on any small cruising or racing sailboat? Read on to learn the secret of when you would use this famous marine knot.

If you’ve banned the square knot from you on-board “must know” list of best knots, hold on! Add this variation the next time you need to reef your mainsail. Learn to tie the slippery reef knot. It’s nothing more than a square knot finished with a slip knot.

This useful nautical knot has been used for hundreds of years on sailing ships and small sailboats to hold the excess sailcloth of a reefed mainsail. On the modern mainsail, the sailmaker places reef tie-points across the sail between the luff and leech for this purpose.

Each reef point consists of a small round, square, or diamond-shaped patch with a grommet punched into the center. A piece of line about 18″ to 24″ long is threaded through each grommet and knotted on both sides next to the grommet.

These sail ties allow you to tie up the extra sailcloth that bunches up at the foot when you reef the mainsail. Use these five simple steps to lower the mainsail for reefing and tie up the extra cloth along the foot of the boat boom:

1. Lower the mainsail and set the tack reef grommet. Take up tension on the halyard so that the luff takes most of the load. This helps prevent tears at the leech and along the foot. Next, set the clew reef grommet.

2. Pull the boat boom close to the center-line. Do this before you attempt to tie up the excess cloth. This keeps the boat boom over the cockpit for safety and provides a handhold for the reefing crew as they tie up the foot.

3. Gather the extra cloth and roll it up toward the boom. Take care to keep the sail battens parallel to the foot cloth as you roll. Stop rolling when you get to the reef point sail ties.

4. Tie slippery reef knots around the boom if your mainsail has a bolt-rope, slugs, or slides along the foot. If you have a loose-footed mainsail, tie these knots beneath the foot of the sail. Follow these steps:

* Grab one end of each tie. Concentrate on the end in your dominant hand
* Pass it over and under the end in your non-dominant hand
* Pass the same end over and under the end in your dominant hand
* Make a loop in the bitter end before the final pass.
* Pull the knot tight.

5. Check again that each sail tie allows a few inches of slack all along the boom. Do you see tension on any reef tie? If you do, re-tie the reef point to remove all tension. Prevent tears and rips with this all important final step!

Now you know the secret of how to turn the lowly square knot into a prince-of-knots! Use the slippery reef knot the next time you need a reliable marine knot for reefing your mainsail.

With the renewed interest in crochet, brought about because of its use in fashionable ready-to-wear, and the evergreen interest in anything antique, vintage, or nostalgic, – most commonly seen in the patchwork quilting phenomenon – there has also come a growing interest in crochet in general, and the making of rugs, shawls, throws, etc. in the style commonly called  ‘Granny Square Crochet’.

This much-loved style of crochet is arguably the most universally recognized crochet motif around the world.  Its popularity stems from the facts that it is made from basic stitches and is therefore quick and easy, it is small, easily portable, fast, and uses up bits of yarn left over from other projects.  When the motifs are joined the end result is a very useful, colorful and cosy article which looks and feels very special and yet was both easy and very cost effective to produce.

Adapted from the much finer and more complex crochet patterns brought by the early European settlers to the new world, which of course were also time-consuming, granny square crochet became the more practical and useful expression of crochet at a time when practicality and usefulness were much more necessary to everyday life, and indeed survival, than fine and intricate beauty was.

Now don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying that granny square crochet is not beautiful, because it most certainly does have a beauty all its own.  With its wonderful colors, patterns and textures it has aesthetic beauty, but it also has an ethereal beauty, too, or ‘soul’ – the ability to touch our hearts, perhaps because it connects us with the ‘humanness’ of the ones who made it, and also because it is so practical.  Granny square rugs, shawls and throws are ‘comfort’ articles.  They are also very satisfying to make.

If you have not yet tackled a crochet project – maybe because you aren’t sure what to do – then granny square crochet can be the very best way to start, once you know your first basic stitches.  The fabulous thing about granny square crochet for a beginner is that each square is quite small and therefore easy to get done, so that you can just crochet one here and there whenever you have any odd bits of time.  It really won’t take long at all before you have enough to put together to make something.  I have seen them used to make cushion covers, doll’s blankets, and even pot holders, so you see there are useful and pretty things you can do with only a very small number of squares, or even just two!

For more ideas, patterns and equipment, take a look on my blog, Crochet Life, where I have selected some of the best resources for you, plus hints and tips on Learning How To Crochet and Easy Crochet Projects.  You will also find there, access to a fabulous book with everything you need to know, plus some fabulous bonuses that go with it.  Enjoy your craft!

The year of 1904 marked an important moment in time for New York and for people around the world. It was the first time that Times Square New Years Eve celebration was held. From that year on, New Years Eve New York city became synonymous with ringing in a new year and a fresh start to the world. Times Tower marked the spot that would later host over one million people each year, all gathered together to celebrate the end of the holidays and the birth of a brand new year.

There are a few things everyone should know about this special day celebrations at Times Square. The first is that it is very crowded. It is estimated that over one million people attend the festivities each year.

Party venues in London, such as the London Eye, gathers around 150,000 people to watch the spectacular firework show. It is definitely a celebration of immense numbers, but still no where near the amount of people who attend the Times Square bash in person, or the billions of people who watch from home.

One hundred years is a long time and this year, the Times Square New Years Eve celebration will mark its anniversary by debuting a new Ball illuminated by LED lights and the panels crafted from Waterford crystal. The ball will be twice as bright as before and pictures of the new ball are now posted on the internet and the New York City Chambers of Commerce.

New York City celebration on this special day will always be in the forethought of people’s minds when it comes to ringing in the New Year. A New Years Eve party at Times Square is one of the lures of the Big Apple. Sure you can see a New York Broadway play, but who could not pass up the opportunity to visit Times Square. The celebrities, the parties and the festivities all bring people closer together to share in the fun and excitement that a new year brings.

There is a catch to attending a Times Square New Years Eve bash. It is filled with merrymakers and you should book your hotel reservations for this special day in advance.

There is more than one celebration happening so you will need to make your arrangements as early as possible. If you are attending the Times Square festivities, then you will need to arrive early in the night to be in a good spot to watch the ball drop.