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, it’s just normal ...

Let’s start with the basics: The running end is the end you manipulate. The standing end is the part you don’t manipulate. The bight is the curve between the running end and the standing end.

“Man on Wire” star Philippe Petit was welcomed by a packed auditorium for his discussion about his new book “Why Knot?” on Sunday at the L.A. Times Festival of Books. Each member of the ...