FM 5-125 Rigging Techniques, Procedures, and Applications
US Army (historical copy via Internet Archive)
The best public-domain knots/ropework reference: knots, hitches, splices, lashings, anchor systems, and tackle with clear line diagrams and safe-load rules of thumb. Anchors a 'knots and ropework' feature.
Editor's notes
Superseded (1995/2001 editions) — fine as reference, but label edition/date. Diagrams are line art, so they reflow well if you extract them for an interactive knots UI.
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Source & license
US federal government work (public domain).
Use of this material does not imply endorsement by its publisher or any government agency.