On September 23, 2007, Millie Rahn interviewed Barbara Merry as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Documentation Project. Barbara describes her childhood, noting that she’d been surrounded by boats her whole life. Her father owned a wholesale/retail marine company, and she grew up on a wooden cruising boat. She gravitated toward tying knots and starting selling her macramé to make a little extra money. Once macramé went out of fashion, she tried several other crafts before finding Ahsley’s Book of Knots and began knotting. After her divorce, she was able to transform this hobby into a career, and eventually published a book The Splicing Handbook: Techniques for Modern and Traditional Ropes. Barbara describes the artistry involved in tying a knot, as well as their critical importance on boats. In addition to her work, she loves sharing her knowledge with other people, and describes teaching a rope work and wire splicing class to marines, detailing the techniques and skills she helps them learn. Barbara promotes herself by attending boat shows and festivals, where she runs a popular booth, but she describes the increasing difficulties involved with attending. She has customers from all over the world, and has found a niche crafting rope fenders. One knot she’s especially proud of is the chest becket, a complicated knot used to secure a sailor’s chest during the whaling era. Barbara reflects on the gender dynamics in the industry, noting that she’s seen marked improvements. Over the years, she was able to find male mentors who respected and encouraged her, and learned to avoid those who had bad manners. She describes the rope making process and the business aspects to her work. Barbara ends with a hope that with greater exposure, the negative stereotypes associated with the fishing industry will change.