The master of knot-making

Kyle Trenton Stewart has a Yahoo article about knots and their maker:

It sounds like something you’d stumble upon if you went the wrong way at Hogwarts: oversized tools, giant knots, and rope as far as the eye can see.  But for knot expert Des Pawson (photo), it’s just normal everyday life.   “Rope and knots are my life and have been since I was a boy,” says Pawson.  I make things in rope, I write about knots, I teach, talk, and research knots and ropework. Rope inspires me.”
Pawson is not only an expert, but in 2007 was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth for his services to the rope industry.
His museum is located in Ipswich, on the eastern coast in one of England’s oldest towns. Formally called the Museum of Knots and Sailor’s Ropework, Pawson houses an Aladdin’s cave of all types of ropes (practical and decorative) together with rope making equipment. A virtual artist of rope, Des not only knows the technical but the artistic side of ropes, too, as he and his wife Liz create handmade knotted items which they sell.
Of course, we all use knots in our everyday lives, but how many times have you actually thought about the specific knot you’re tying?  Who even thinks of tying a shoelace in a knot as you do it; it’s simply a habit we’ve learned and take for granted.  And what about those knots used to make that fancy braided loaf you saw at the bakery this morning, or when you helped her daughter French braid her hair?
As our previous Yahoo Maker’s article listed Five Knots Everyone Should Know, we asked Des Pawson for his advice on the subject: What are the most useful knots that would be handy in a variety of situations (and easy enough for anyone to master)?   What does Pawson recommend for the average Joe?

Rico says there's a lot more to the article, including step-by-step instructions about tying several knots, which you can see here...