Hi Brian,
I did not wish to defuse the current challenge... just to express how far beyond me this one is. Others may come to it and match you line by line... just not me! I was playing with some ear-rings made and donated by Dan C. for our sale items at IGKT-PAB. I sent a check to our coffer as I wished to give them to a family member. They are star knots. I also am working with some folks to make the cross with pedestal from Patrick Ducey. Some folks want to do the Wee Lighthouse Pendant.
As you know I've tied a knot or two but often what someone else has done is a mystery to me. How about a "challenge" to the gifted and skilled to offer a tutorial on any one of their knots. You know I offered up the Thump Mat as tutorial, Patrick has offered up the grids for his awesome THK's, as tutorial. I wold not say I am gifted but just as sure as we tie knots then Patrick is both gifted and skilled.
Of course I'd like to see the "basic challenge" just be for intermediate skills and hope that most viewers can work with it and have a fine time. Also it should be presented as a "beginner challenge".
I think that your work is beyond me. So I understand that some of my work is beyond the intermediate knotter. The "knot challenge" needs to be segmented or layered.. for newbies, folks with some knots who love to be puzzled, some for old timers who want a shot of juice from the defib, some for "extreme know it alls" who need to be knocked down a peg or prove their worth and step up a peg.
The first knot challenge should be the 6 knots. Level above that should include some decorative as well. Just my thoughts. Frankly, if I need to answer to your wonderful leather lace knots in the latest challenge.. I ain't going there. I've been trump carded by experts with a bit of paste board and I don't need to be high carded by the finest lace worker in PNW. If I tried to trump your knots I just be bringing a knife to a gun fight. Nice knots, best of lace. Hope you are well.