List of knot terminology

Last updated

This page explains commonly used terms related to knots.

Contents

B

Bend

A bend is a knot used to join two lengths of rope.

Bight

When an overhand knot is tied with a bight instead of an end of the rope, the result is an overhand loop Overhand-loop-ABOK-1046.jpg
When an overhand knot is tied with a bight instead of an end of the rope, the result is an overhand loop

A bight is a slack part in the middle of a rope, usually a curve or loop. [1] [2] Knots that can be tied without access to either end of the rope are called knots in the bight. To tie a knot with a bight is to double up the rope into a bight and then tie the knot using the double rope.

Binding knot

Binding knots are knots that either constrict a single object or hold two objects snugly together. Whippings, seizings and lashings serve a similar purpose to binding knots, but contain too many wraps to be properly called a knot. [1] In binding knots, the ends of rope are either joined together or tucked under the turns of the knot.

Bitter end

Another term for the working end. [3]

C

Capsizing

The reef knot can capsize if one of its standing ends is pulled. Knoten Kreuzknoten.jpg
The reef knot can capsize if one of its standing ends is pulled.

A knot that has capsized or spilled has deformed into a different structure. Although capsizing is sometimes the result of incorrect tying or misuse, it can also be done purposefully in certain cases to strengthen the knot (see the carrick bend [4] ) or to untie a seized knot which would otherwise be difficult to release (see reef knot).

Chirality

Chirality is the 'handedness' of a knot. Topologically speaking, a knot and its mirror image may or may not have knot equivalence. [5]

D

Decorative knot

Although primarily tied for decorative purposes, the Turk's head knot can serve as a hand grip when tied around a cylindrical object. Turks-head-3-lead-10-bight-doubled.jpg
Although primarily tied for decorative purposes, the Turk's head knot can serve as a hand grip when tied around a cylindrical object.

A decorative knot is any aesthetically pleasing knot. Although it is not necessarily the case, most decorative knots also have practical applications or were derived from other well-known knots. [6] Decorative knotting is one of the oldest and most widely distributed types of folk art. [6]

Dressing

Knot dressing is the process of arranging a knot in such a way as to improve its performance. Crossing or uncrossing the rope in a specific way, depending on the knot, can increase the knot's strength as well as reduce its jamming potential. [7]

E

Elbow

An elbow refers to any two nearby crossings of a rope. An elbow is created when an additional twist is made in a loop. [8]

Eye

The eye is in fact what is often (in error) referred to as a loop. The eye functions in the same way as an eye bolt or an eye splice. The eye provides a means to form connections. The eye of a knot (or a splice) is fixed and does not slip. If it slipped, it would not function as an eye - it would act like a noose.

F

Flake

A flake refers to any number of turns in a coiled rope. Likewise, to flake a rope means to coil it. [1]

"Flaking" or "Faking" also means to lay a rope on a surface ready to use or to run out quickly without tangles. [9]

Figure-8 flake KelebekSarmali 1.JPG
Figure-8 flake

Fraps

Fraps or "frapping turns" are a set of loops coiled perpendicularly around the wraps of a lashing as a means of tightening. [10]

The rolling hitch is a common type of friction hitch. Stopperstek.jpg
The rolling hitch is a common type of friction hitch.

Friction hitch

A friction hitch is a knot that attaches one rope to another in a way that allows the knot's position to easily be adjusted. Sometimes friction hitches are called slide-and-grip knots. [11] They are often used in climbing applications.

H

Hitch

A hitch is a knot that attaches a rope to some object, often a ring, rail, spar, post, or perhaps another rope, as in the case of the rolling hitch. [12]

J

Jamming

A jamming knot is any knot that becomes very difficult to untie after use. [13] Knots that are resistant to jamming are called non-jamming knots.

L

A tripod lashing Tripodlashing3.gif
A tripod lashing

Lashing

A lashing is an arrangement of rope used to secure two or more items together in a rigid manner. Common uses include the joining of scaffolding poles and the securing of sailing masts. [14] [15] The square lashing, diagonal lashing, and shear lashing are well-known lashings used to bind poles perpendicularly, diagonally, and in parallel, respectively. [16]

Loop

A: open loop, B: closed loop, C: turn, D: round turn, and E: two round turns Eyes and turns.jpg
A: open loop, B: closed loop, C: turn, D: round turn, and E: two round turns

In reference to knots, loop may refer to:

A loop is one of the fundamental structures used to tie knots. It is a full circle formed by passing the working end of a rope over itself. When the legs of a closed loop are crossed to form a loop, the rope has taken a turn . [1]

Loop knot

The figure-eight loop is a common loop knot. FigureOfEightLoop.jpg
The figure-eight loop is a common loop knot.

A loop knot is a type of knot that creates a fixed loop on the rope, where "fixed" means that pulling on the rope does not cause the loop to slide or shrink. In contrast to a hitch, the loop formed by a loop knot maintains its structure regardless of whether or not the loop is around an object. [1]

A loop can be formed by tying "in the bight" or otherwise. An example is the figure-eight loop knot, which can be tied in the bight, by tying a figure-eight knot using a bight instead of the end of the rope. However, tying the knot this way does not allow putting the loop around a fixed object like a tree; to do that, the knot must be tied in a two-stage process by first tying a figure-eight knot, running the end of the rope around the fixed object, and then threading the rope back through and around the figure-8 knot to create the final figure-8 loop knot.

N

Noose

A noose can refer to any sliding loop in which the loop tightens when pulled. [4]

O

Open loop

An open loop is a curve in a rope that resembles a semicircle in which the legs are not touching or crossed. The legs of an open loop are brought together narrower than they are in a bight. [1]

S

The eye of a forestay is secured by three round seizings Forestay-Eye-Round-seizings-Bulls-eye.jpg
The eye of a forestay is secured by three round seizings

Seizing

A seizing is a knot that binds two pieces of rope together side by side, normally in order to create a loop. The structure of seizings is similar to that of lashings. [18]

Setting

Setting a knot is the process of tightening it. Improper setting can cause certain knots to underperform. [7]

Slipped knot

The slipped form of the buntline hitch (on the right) can easily be untied by pulling the hanging end and withdrawing the loop. Buntline-hitches-header.jpg
The slipped form of the buntline hitch (on the right) can easily be untied by pulling the hanging end and withdrawing the loop.

A slipped knot is any knot that unties when an end is pulled. Thus, tying the slipped form of a knot makes it easier to untie, especially when the knot is prone to jamming. [1] A slip knot is just one variety of slipped knot.

Small-stuff

Small-stuff is a nautical and knot-tying term for thin string or twine, as opposed to the thick, heavy ropes that are more often used in sailing. It is commonly used in a whipping to bind the ends of ropes to prevent fraying.

Historically, the term referred to cordage less than one inch in circumference. [19] Much of the small-stuff on board ships, especially that used for decorative or fancy ropework, was made by the sailors themselves reusing materials unlaid from old and leftover pieces of larger rope and cable. [20]

Spilling

Splice

Splicing is a method of joining two ropes done by untwisting and then re-weaving the rope's strands. [21]

Standing end

The standing end (or standing part) of a rope is the part that is not active in knot tying. [1] The opposite end is the working end. [4]

Stopper knot

A stopper knot is the type of knot tied to prevent a rope from slipping through a grommet. [22] The overhand knot is the simplest single-strand stopper knot. [1]

T

Turn

A turn is one round of rope on a pin or cleat, or one round of a coil.

W

Whipping

A whipping is a binding knot tied around the end of a rope to prevent the rope from unraveling. [18]

Working end

The working end (or working part) of a rope is the part active in knot tying. [1] The opposite end is the standing end. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knot</span> Method of fastening or securing linear material

A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a hitch fastens a rope to another object; a bend fastens two ends of a rope to each another; a loop knot is any knot creating a loop; and splice denotes any multi-strand knot, including bends and loops. A knot may also refer, in the strictest sense, to a stopper or knob at the end of a rope to keep that end from slipping through a grommet or eye. Knots have excited interest since ancient times for their practical uses, as well as their topological intricacy, studied in the area of mathematics known as knot theory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowline</span> Simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope

The bowline is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after being subjected to a load. The bowline is sometimes referred to as king of the knots because of its importance. Along with the sheet bend and the clove hitch, the bowline is often considered one of the most essential knots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butterfly loop</span> Knot used to form a fixed loop in the middle of a rope

The butterfly loop, also known as lineman's loop, butterfly knot, alpine butterfly knot, Swiss loop and lineman's rider, is a knot used to form a fixed loop in the middle of a rope. Tied in the bight, it can be made in a rope without access to either of the ends; this is a distinct advantage when working with long climbing ropes. The butterfly loop is an excellent mid-line rigging knot; it handles multi-directional loading well and has a symmetrical shape that makes it easy to inspect. In a climbing context it is also useful for traverse lines, some anchors, shortening rope slings, and for isolating damaged sections of rope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constrictor knot</span> Binding hitch knot

The constrictor knot is one of the most effective binding knots. Simple and secure, it is a harsh knot that can be difficult or impossible to untie once tightened. It is made similarly to a clove hitch but with one end passed under the other, forming an overhand knot under a riding turn. The double constrictor knot is an even more robust variation that features two riding turns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheepshank</span> Type of knot

A shank is a type of knot that is used to shorten a rope or take up slack, such as the sheepshank. The sheepshank knot is not stable. It will fall apart under too much load or too little load.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clove hitch</span> Type of knot

The clove hitch is an ancient type of knot, made of two successive single hitches tied around an object. It is most effectively used to secure a middle section of rope to an object it crosses over, such as a line on a fencepost. It can also be used as an ordinary hitch, or as a binding knot, but it is not particularly secure in either application. It is considered one of the most important knots, alongside the bowline and the sheet bend.

Although the name clove hitch is given by Falconer in his Dictionary of 1769, the knot is much older, having been tied in ratlines at least as early as the first quarter of the sixteenth century. This is shown in early sculpture and paintings. A round turn is taken with the ratline and then a hitch is added below. The forward end is always the first to be made fast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trucker's hitch</span> Type of knot

The trucker's hitch is a compound knot commonly used for securing loads on trucks or trailers. The general arrangement, using loops and turns in the rope itself to form a crude block and tackle, has long been used to tension lines and is known by multiple names. Knot author Geoffrey Budworth claims the knot can be traced back to the days when carters and hawkers used horse-drawn conveyances to move their wares from place to place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Figure-eight knot</span> Type of stopper knot used in sailing and climbing

The figure-eight knot or figure-of-eight knot is a type of stopper knot. It is very important in both sailing and rock climbing as a method of stopping ropes from running out of retaining devices. Like the overhand knot, which will jam under strain, often requiring the rope to be cut, the figure-eight will also jam, but is usually more easily undone than the overhand knot.

The figure-eight or figure-of-eight knot is also called the Flemish knot. The name figure-of-eight knot appears in Lever's Sheet Anchor; or, a Key to Rigging. The word "of" is nowadays usually omitted. The knot is the sailor's common single-strand stopper knot and is tied in the ends of tackle falls and running rigging, unless the latter is fitted with monkey's tails. It is used about ship wherever a temporary stopper knot is required. The figure-eight is much easier to untie than the overhand, it does not have the same tendency to jam and so injure the fiber, and is larger, stronger, and equally secure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Figure-eight loop</span> Type of knot

Figure-eight loop is a type of knot created by a loop on the bight. It is used in climbing and caving.

The Flemish loop or figure-eight loop is perhaps stronger than the loop knot. Neither of these knots is used at sea, as they are hard to untie. In hooking a tackle to any of the loops, if the loop is long enough it is better to arrange the rope as a cat's paw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timber hitch</span> Type of knot

The timber hitch is a knot used to attach a single length of rope to a cylindrical object. Secure while tension is maintained, it is easily untied even after heavy loading.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeppelin bend</span> Bend knot

A zeppelin bend is an end-to-end joining knot formed by two symmetrically interlinked overhand knots. It is stable, secure, and highly resistant to jamming. It is also resistant to the effects of slack shaking and cyclic loading.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overhand knot with draw-loop</span> Type of knot

A slipped half hitch is a knot in which the weight of the load the rope carries depresses the loop sufficiently to keep it in place until the load item is placed in its location. When no longer required the free end may be pulled and draw the loop through and so release the load.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneering (scouting)</span> Adapting knots & woodcraft skills for exploring wilderness regions

Pioneering is the art of using ropes and wooden spars joined by lashings and knots to create a structure. Pioneering can be used for constructing small items such as camp gadgets up to larger structures such as bridges and towers. These may be recreational, decorative, or functional.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat's paw (knot)</span> Type of knot

The Cat's paw is a knot used for connecting a rope to an object. It is very similar to the cow hitch except there is an additional twist on each side of the bight, making it less prone to slipping.

The cat's-paw is the common hook hitch for slings. It is the same basic form as the bale sling hitch but has additional twists. Brady says "two or three altogether," and Steel, who mentioned the name in 1794, says "three twists." It is the best of all sling hitches and is often recommended for a slippery rope. But no hitch can slip when tied in a slings since it has no ends. All that is needed is a hitch that cannot jam, and this requirement the cat's-paw fills admirably. The knot spills instantly when removed from the hook. It is the hitch always used for heavy lifts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stopper knot</span> Knot that forms a fixed thicker point to prevent unreeving

A stopper knot is a knot that creates a fixed thicker point on an otherwise-uniform thickness rope for the purpose of preventing the rope, at that point, from slipping through a narrow passage, such as a hole in a block. To pass a rope through a block, or hole, is to reeve it. To pull it out is to unreeve it. Stopper knots prevent the rope from unreeving on its own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buntline hitch</span> Type of knot

The buntline hitch is a knot used for attaching a rope to an object. It is formed by passing the working end around an object, then making a clove hitch around the rope's standing part and taking care that the turns of the clove hitch progress towards the object rather than away from it. Secure and easily tied, the buntline hitch will jam when subjected to extreme loads. Given the knot's propensity to jam, it is often made in slipped form.

The buntline hitch, when bent to a yard, makes a more secure knot than two half hitches, but is more liable to jam. It differs from two half hitches in that the second half hitch is inside instead of outside the first one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prusik knot</span> Type of knot

A Prusik is a friction hitch or knot used to attach a loop of cord around a rope, applied in climbing, canyoneering, mountaineering, caving, rope rescue, ziplining, and by arborists. The term Prusik is a name for both the loops of cord used to tie the hitch and the hitch itself, and the verb is "to prusik" or "prusiking". More casually, the term is used for any friction hitch or device that can grab a rope. Due to the pronunciation, the word is often misspelled Prussik, Prussick, or Prussic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halter hitch</span> Type of knot

The halter hitch is a type of knot used to connect a rope to an object. As the name implies, an animal's lead rope, attached to its halter, may be tied to a post or hitching rail with this knot. The benefit of the halter hitch is that it can be easily released by pulling on one end of the rope, even if it is under tension. Some sources show the knot being finished with the free end running through the slipped loop to prevent it from working loose or being untied by a clever animal, still allowing easy but not instant untying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bight (knot)</span>

In knot tying, a bight is a curved section or slack part between the two ends of a rope, string, or yarn. A knot that can be tied using only the bight of a rope, without access to the ends, is described as in the bight. The term "bight" is also used in a more specific way when describing Turk's head knots, indicating how many repetitions of braiding are made in the circuit of a given knot.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ashley, Clifford W. (1993) [reprinted, first printing 1944]. The Ashley Book of Knots . New York: Doubleday. pp. 11–20, 219, 597–599. ISBN   0-385-04025-3. "Any slack part of a rope between the two ends, particularly when curved or looped."
  2. "Rope and Knot Terminology". Upper Ojai Search and Rescue Team. Ventura Country Sheriff's Department. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  3. "Boat Crew Seamanship Manual, COMDTINST M16114.5C, September 2003 - NASBLA".
  4. 1 2 3 4 Budworth, Geoffrey (July 1, 1997). The Complete Book of Knots (1 ed.). The Lyons Press. pp. 156–157. ISBN   1-55821-632-4.
  5. "Basic Knot Theory Terminology" (PDF). Stanford ESP. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Owen, Peter (1994). The Book of Decorative Knots. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons Press. ISBN   1-55821-304-X.
  7. 1 2 Kidd, Timothy W.; Jennifer Hazelrigs (2009). Rock Climbing. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. pp.  126–127. ISBN   978-0-7360-6802-4.
  8. Costantino, Maria (March 1, 2007). The Knot Handbook. Sterling. pp. 252–254. ISBN   978-1-4027-4804-2.
  9. Grogono, Alan W. Grogono (Grog), David E. Grogono, Martin J. "Figure 8 Flake - Coiling Rope Using the Figure 8 Flake - Knots". www.animatedknots.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. "U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-05.70 - Ropes and Knots". Headquarters, Department of the Army. May 2002. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  11. Adams, Mark (April 2005). "A Genealogy of Arborists' Climbing Hitches" (PDF). Arborist News.
  12. Budworth, Geoffrey (September 1, 2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knots. Lyons Press. p. 157. ISBN   1-58574-626-6.
  13. Partridge, William E. (1908). "The Knots in Common Use". Yachting . 3: 97.
  14. Hasluck, Paul N., ed. (October 15, 2009). Knotting And Splicing Ropes And Cordage. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. p. 130. ISBN   978-1-120-30885-6.
  15. Biddlecombe, George (1990). The Art of Rigging (1 ed.). Mineola, New York. p. 19. ISBN   0-486-26343-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. Macfarlan, Allan and Paulette (September 1, 1983). Knotcraft: The Practical and Entertaining Art of Tying Knots. Dover Publications. ISBN   0-486-24515-2.
  17. Clifford W. Ashley, The Ashley Book of Knots. Image 31, 32.
  18. 1 2 Merry, Barbara; Martin Dugard (February 16, 2000). The Splicing Handbook: Techniques for Modern and Traditional Ropes (2 ed.). International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press. p. 113. ISBN   978-0-07-135438-7.
  19. Clifford W. Ashley, The Ashley Book of Knots (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 603.
  20. Ashley, 549.
  21. Smith, Hervey G. (September 1, 1990). The Arts of the Sailor: Knotting, Splicing and Ropework. Dover Publications. pp.  2. ISBN   0-486-26440-8.
  22. Wing, Charlie (May 2007). How Boat Things Work: An Illustrated Guide. McGraw-Hill. p. 97. ISBN   978-0-07-149344-4.