Here are the books that have introduced me to the history and techniques of the art of knotting:

English

• The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework by Geoffrey Budworth
• The Complete Book of Knots and Ropework by Geoffrey Budworth
• Knots (Collins Need to Know) by Geoffrey Budworth
• Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery by Suzen Millodot
• Celtic Knots for Beaded Jewellery by Suzen Millodot
• Chinese Knotting: Creative Designs that are Easy and Fun! by Lydia Chen
• Fun With Chinese Knotting: Making Your Own Fashion Accessories and Accents by Lydia Chen
• The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting: A Compendium of Techniques and Variations by Lydia Chen [Techniques are more for an experienced knotter]

Japanese

• 
  モダンテイストの結びアクセサリー by 知光薫
  [To me, the instructions here were the easiest to follow when I first began knotting.]

• 
  アジア結びのアクセサリー by 知光薫

• 
  結んで作るアクセサリーと雑貨 by 雄鷄社

There are more jap books (which I wish to read) over here, here and here.

• Chinese knotting is an old and traditional art form developed in the Tang (618 – 907 BC) and Song (960-1279 AD) dynasties.
• Many Chinese knots are identical both sides. They are decorative and functional, able to hold things securely.
• Knots were a form of communication and a means to express good wishes and blessings.
• This ancient art was on the verge of being lost due to the effects of industrialization and the Cultural Revolution. The how-tos were passed down from one generation to the next through word of mouth.
• A series of articles on Chinese knots was published in a Taiwanese magazine after its publishers sought out the few remaining elderly women knotters in Taiwan. That was in 1976.
• It is believed that the Japanese (hanamusubi) and Korean (maedup) knotting originated from China.

[Source: 'The Complete Book of Chinese Knotting' by Lydia Chen]

Here are some basic Chinese knots:

-:- Clover leaf -:-

Front view

Back view

-:- Cross -:-

Front view

Back view (aka square knot)

-:- Creeper -:-

Front view

Back view

-:- Tassel -:-

Front view

Back view

-:- Double connection -:-

Front view

Back view

-:- Round brocade -:-

Front view

Back view

[Update I've included a link to the book and if you like to know the books that inspire me to knot, do join me next week for a complete list.]

• Almost every known knot has a name, some have more than one. The simplest knot we ALL tie is called an overhand knot (that’s the one you see above).
• Records show that the knotwork go way back to more than several thousand years ago.
• In ancient days, tying knots was a way to keep track of events, genealogies and stock.
• According to expert knot tyer and author Geoffrey Budworth, knots are divided into 3 groups:
  1. A knot joining 2 ropes is a bend.
  2. A knot that attaches a rope to a rail, bar or any object is called a hitch.
  3. Anything else that is neither a knot nor a hitch is a knot; which is subdivided into stopper knots, bindings, shortening, loops and nooses.
• Even weaver birds tie different types of knots (with grass) to make their nests.
• There are certain life-support knots that are specifically used by those who have to scale heights and depths.
• As an early Scandinavian form of birth control, when a couple decided they had enough children, they would name their last-born boy Knut, which means knot.

[Source: ‘The Complete Book of Knots & Ropework’ and 'Knots (Collins Need to Know?)' by Geoffrey Budworth]

For most part of these 2 weeks, I’ve been devoting much time to knotting and so do join me in the coming days as I unveil my new bloom knots and fill you in on some quick ‘knottingpedia’.

Thyroid

This one is ready to be mailed to a dear friend whose birthday is next week, who has recently been very stressed and whose thyroid isn’t taking it well.

Last night, we were out for a meal with my family at the Plaza Market Café in Raffles City, where we were treated to a nonya buffet spread. While we were chatting about the past, the topic on thyroid was brought up when my aunt shared what my mother had to endure when her thyroid problems acted up after the birth of my elder sis. That was news to some of us. My mother had never told us the full details.