By Taffisi-ko, Sailor and Scholar

<The book is a scholarly collection of knots and their uses on and offboard sailing vessels. Each knot is accompanied by diagrams on how to tie them. Curiously, alongside the knots and their descriptions, are notes seemingly written by Melandir.>

Apologies to anyone who comes across this book. Molto and I have made a right mess of it. He was very excited to have found it and begged that I help him learn each and every knot. He also thought it prudent that we practice with my hair considering how … disastrous … it appears. Not that he's wrong. I could use some help braiding it, but he doesn't understand that the knots in this book are not the same as those used for hair.

I've added notes and markings to track our progress, which I imagine will make this book useless as a scholarly text once we're done with it. Sorry, Taffisi-ko. If it's any consolation, this really is a remarkable collection of knots.

|DuAnchor Hitch.|du Used primarily to attach an anchor line to an anchor.

|DuBowline Knot.|du Used to make a fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Molto really struggled with his one. At one point he tied his little paw into my hair and very nearly panicked. Thankfully, he remained very brave and let a Watchling untie him.

|DuBuntline Hitch.|du Most commonly used when securing buntlines to square sails.
By the time I finished explaining to Molto how this seemed like a sturdier clove hitch, he had already tied a small bird's worth of bones to the ends of my hair. He's a quick learner, that one.

|DuHeaving Line Knot.|du Adds additional weight to the end of a line so that it can be thrown further.
I'm actually partial to this one. It made for heavy, weighted braids, perfect for swinging and bludgeoning people that annoy me. Not that I'd ever do that. I just appreciate having the option.

|DuKynareth's Hitch.|du A compound knot that functions as a pulley.
There's talk of using this knot to capture and lift larger beasts in the districts as well as some laughter at the thought of doing the same to members of the Ruckus.

|DuMidshipman's Hitch.|du An adjustable loop making use of a rolling hitch.

|DuOverhand on a Firth.|du An overhand knot combined with a firth that does not require the end of a rope.
I'm realizing that a great many of these knots, while not stylish, are amusing to Molto because they allow him to tie small trinkets or bags to my hair. He assures me that this is reasonable and helpful to us both. He gains easy access to his favorite knick-knacks and I get personal use of my pockets back.

|Ds|DuRat Tail Stopper Knot.|du Helps control a mooring line while a ship is docking by temporarily taking its load during transfer. |ds
Molto did not care for this one. We've struck it from the record.

|DuTalon Hitch.|du A steadfast knot used to secure lines to dock cleats.