Today’s interview is with Dennis Armstrong of The Knotted Line in Redmond, WA. I met with Dennis at his home and got a tour of his shop/garage which is chock full of materials and products he has made over the years.

How did he get started in the knot business? While visiting the east coast as a young adult, Dennis met a Coast Guard Quartermaster who showed him how to tie a Turks head. Next Armstrong tied a String Ring for his new bride, and then promptly forgot how to tie the turks head. For their first wedding anniversary Mrs. Armstrong gave her hubby a Knot book, a fid, and two balls of twine with which he practiced and fiddled and learned and practiced and fiddled and learned.

From that humble beginning, Dennis has learned the art of Marlinspike and can tie numerous items such as a key fob, a monkeys fist, a cotton square knotted belt, boat fenders, bow puddings, decorative mats, and lots of other cool stuff. Dennis also is knowledgable in the traditional rigging of ships and has worked on the Zodiac, Wawona, and a replica of the Nina.

Dennis is a retired geologist, and devotes most of his spare time now to filling orders for customers through his online store – TheKnottedLine.com. Check it out or give Dennis a call at 425 885-2457.