When Footrope Knots first started in 1980 it was a part time business, but in 1989 (as first announced in Boating Business), Pawson gave up his day job to concentrate on knot tying full time. The business was successful.

In 1982 he formed the International Guild of Knot Tyers, this organisation now has almost 1,500 members world wide. In 1996 he founded a Museum of Knots and Sailors Ropework, he also wrote widely on the subject, firstly for the Boatman magazine, and then in 1998 the Handbook of Knots was published by Dorling Kindersley, this book is still in print and has been translated into 17 languages.

Des Pawson's Knot Craft followed in 2004 from Adlard Coles Nautical. Earlier this year Footrope Knots was featured on the Classic Boat stand at the London Boat Show and recently Pawson  has been a speaker at a number of international conferences on knots, ropework and the disappearing crafts.