Working in a former net building loft in Stonington, Tim Whitten still practices the arcane skills needed to turn simple rope into works of practical and decorative art. Whitten’s shop at the western end of Stonington’s Main Street, is called the Marlinespike Chandlery. The name is apt, for the shop contains a wide variety of handmade rope items that would be useful or just handsome touches on or off a boat. STEPHEN RAPPAPORT PHOTOS