a bothering knot

[SuprunP]

A circular tent, of exceptional newness and size, was in course of erection here. [...] and they turned their attention to this tent and inquired of a man at work there, whose soul seemed concentrated on tying a bothering knot in no time, what was going on.
(T. Hardy; Far from the Madding Crowd)

Would you be so kind as to tell me whether it simply means 'a troubling knot'?

Thanks.

 

[VicNicSor]

This means the knot seemed to be quite difficult to tie and thus, gave some trouble to the man.

 

[PaulQ]

Hmmm... that is possible but, as the man was probably used to tying such knots, it is perhaps more likely that the knot was "bothering" to them: i.e a knot that was complex, difficult to understand/comprehend, even when they could see it being tied.

 

[SuprunP]

Thank you VikNikSor and PaulQ!