This page explains commonly used terms related to
knot
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 ' ...
s.
B
Bend
A bend is a knot used to join two lengths of rope.
Bight
![Alpine butterfly loop](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Alpine_butterfly_loop.jpg)
A bight has two meanings in knotting. It can mean either any central part of a rope (between the
standing end and the
working end
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 ' ...
) or an
arc
ARC may refer to:
Business
* Aircraft Radio Corporation, a major avionics manufacturer from the 1920s to the '50s
* Airlines Reporting Corporation, an airline-owned company that provides ticket distribution, reporting, and settlement services
* ...
in a rope that is at least as wide as a
semicircle
In mathematics (and more specifically geometry), a semicircle is a one-dimensional locus of points that forms half of a circle. The full arc of a semicircle always measures 180° (equivalently, radians, or a half-turn). It has only one line of ...
.
[ "Any slack part of a rope between the two ends, particularly when curved or looped."] In either case, a bight is a length of rope that does not cross itself.
Knots that can be tied without use of the working end are called knots ''on the bight''.
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.
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
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 ' ...
.
C
Capsizing
![Knoten Kreuzknoten](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Knoten_Kreuzknoten.jpg)
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
The Carrick bend, also known as the Sailor's breastplate, is a knot used for joining two lines. It is particularly appropriate for very heavy rope or cable that is too large and stiff to be easily formed into other common bends.Geoffrey Budworth, ...
) or to untie a seized knot which would otherwise be difficult to release (see
reef knot
The reef knot, or square knot, is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is sometimes also referred to as a Hercules knot. The knot is formed by tying a left-handed overhand knot between two ends, ...
).
Chirality
Chirality is the 'handedness' of a knot.
Topologically
In mathematics, topology (from the Greek words , and ) is concerned with the properties of a geometric object that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, crumpling, and bending; that is, without closing ho ...
speaking, a knot and its mirror image may or may not have
knot equivalence
In the mathematical field of topology, knot theory is the study of mathematical knots. While inspired by knots which appear in daily life, such as those in shoelaces and rope, a mathematical knot differs in that the ends are joined so it cannot ...
.
D
Decorative knot
![Turks-head-3-lead-10-bight-doubled](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Turks-head-3-lead-10-bight-doubled.jpg)
A decorative knot is any
aesthetically
Aesthetics, or esthetics, is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art (its own area of philosophy that comes out of aesthetics). It examines aesthetic values, often expressed th ...
pleasing knot. Although it is not necessarily the case, most decorative knots also have practical applications or were derived from other well-known knots.
Decorative knotting is one of the oldest and most widely distributed
folk art
Folk art covers all forms of visual art made in the context of folk culture. Definitions vary, but generally the objects have practical utility of some kind, rather than being exclusively decorative art, decorative. The makers of folk art a ...
.
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.
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
Loop or LOOP may refer to:
Brands and enterprises
* Loop (mobile), a Bulgarian virtual network operator and co-founder of Loop Live
* Loop, clothing, a company founded by Carlos Vasquez in the 1990s and worn by Digable Planets
* Loop Mobile, an ...
.
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. Note that 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.
"Flaking" or "Faking" also means to lay a rope on a surface ready to use or to run out quickly without tangles
Fraps
Fraps or "frapping turns" are a set of loops coiled perpendicularly around the
wraps of a
lashing
Lash or Lashing may refer to:
* Eyelash
* Whiplash (disambiguation)
* Lashing (ropework), a form of connecting solid objects tightly using rope or cord
* Flagellation, a form of torture or punishment involving a whip
* Backlash (engineering), clea ...
as a means of tightening.
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. They are often used in
climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the eight thousanders), to small boulders. Climbing is done fo ...
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
The rolling hitch is a knot (see also Magnus hitch) used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or another rope. A simple friction hitch, it is used for lengthwise pull along an object rather than at right angles. The rolling hitch is designed to res ...
.
J
Jamming
A jamming knot is any knot that becomes very difficult to untie after use. Knots that are resistant to jamming are called non-jamming knots.
L
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
Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolds are widely use ...
poles and the securing of
sailing masts.
The
square lashing
A lashing is an arrangement of rope, wire, or webbing with linking device used to secure and fasten two or more items together in a somewhat rigid manner. Lashings are most commonly applied to timber poles, and are commonly associated with cargo, ...
,
diagonal lashing
A lashing is an arrangement of rope, wire, or webbing with linking device used to secure and fasten two or more items together in a somewhat rigid manner. Lashings are most commonly applied to timber poles, and are commonly associated with cargo, ...
, and
shear lashing
A lashing is an arrangement of rope, wire, or webbing with linking device used to secure and fasten two or more items together in a somewhat rigid manner. Lashings are most commonly applied to timber poles, and are commonly associated with cargo, ...
are well-known lashings used to bind poles perpendicularly, diagonally, and in parallel, respectively.
Loop
![Eyes_and_turns](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Eyes_and_turns.jpg)
In reference to knots, loop may refer to:
* One of the fundamental structures used to tie knots. Specifically, it is a U-form narrower than a
bight
The word is derived from Old English ''byht'' (“bend, angle, corner; bay, bight”). In modern English, bight may refer to:
* Bight (geography), recess of a coast, bay, or other curved feature
* Bight (knot), a curved section, slack part, or loo ...
.
* A type of knot used to create a closed circle in a line.
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''.
Loop knot
![Palstek innen](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Palstek_innen.jpg)
A loop knot is a type of knot that has a fixed 'eye'. The eye can be formed via 'tying-in-the-bight' (TIB) or by non-TIB methods. An example is the Figure 8 eye knot (ABoK #1047) - which can be tied-in-the-bight to directly form the eye in a 1 stage tying process. However, when attempting to attach the F8 eye knot to a climbing harness or to a tree, the TIB method ''will not work''. Instead, the knot must be tied in a 2 stage tying process by first tying a figure 8 knot (ABoK #570) and then re-threading the tail through and around the #570 F8 knot to re-create the final F8 eye knot (#1047). Unlike a
hitch, a loop knot creates a fixed eye in a rope that maintains its structure regardless of whether or not it is fastened to an object. In other words, the 'eye' can be removed from an object without losing its shape.
When visualizing the 'eye' of a knot - think in terms of an 'eye bolt' or an 'eye splice'. An eye bolt is not a loop bolt - it is properly referred to as an ''eye'' bolt. The same concept applies to an ''eye'' splice.
N
Noose
A noose can refer to any sliding loop in which the loop tightens when pulled.
O
Open loop
An open loop is a curve in a rope that resembles a
semicircle
In mathematics (and more specifically geometry), a semicircle is a one-dimensional locus of points that forms half of a circle. The full arc of a semicircle always measures 180° (equivalently, radians, or a half-turn). It has only one line of ...
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
The word is derived from Old English ''byht'' (“bend, angle, corner; bay, bight”). In modern English, bight may refer to:
* Bight (geography), recess of a coast, bay, or other curved feature
* Bight (knot), a curved section, slack part, or loo ...
.
S
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.
Setting
Setting a knot is the process of tightening it. Improper setting can cause certain knots to underperform.
Slipped knot
![Buntline-hitches-header](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Buntline-hitches-header.jpg)
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.
Small-stuff
Small-stuff is a
nautical
Seamanship is the art, knowledge and competence of operating a ship, boat or other craft on water. The'' Oxford Dictionary'' states that seamanship is "The skill, techniques, or practice of handling a ship or boat at sea."
It involves topics a ...
and knot-tying term for thin
string or
twine
Twine is a strong Thread (yarn), thread, light String (cord), string or cord composed of two or more thinner strands twisted, and then twisted together (Plying, plied). The strands are plied in the opposite direction to that of their twist, whic ...
, as opposed to the thick, heavy
rope
A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than similarly ...
s that are more often used in sailing. It is commonly used in a
whipping
Flagellation (Latin , 'whip'), flogging or whipping is the act of beating the human body with special implements such as whips, rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails, the sjambok, the knout, etc. Typically, flogging has been imposed on ...
to bind the ends of ropes to prevent fraying.
Historically, the term referred to cordage less than one inch in
circumference
In geometry, the circumference (from Latin ''circumferens'', meaning "carrying around") is the perimeter of a circle or ellipse. That is, the circumference would be the arc length of the circle, as if it were opened up and straightened out to ...
.
[Clifford W. Ashley, ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 603.] Much of the small-stuff onboard ships, especially that used for decorative or fancy
ropework
Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are traditional umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippings, and proper use and storage of rope.
While th ...
, was made by the
sailor
A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship.
The profession of the s ...
s themselves reusing materials unlaid from old and leftover pieces of larger rope and cable.
[Ashley, 549.]
Spilling
Splice
Splicing is a method of joining two ropes done by untwisting and then re-weaving the rope's strands.
Standing end
The standing end (or standing part) of a rope is the part that is not active in knot tying.
It is the opposite part in the
working end
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 ' ...
.
Stopper knot
A stopper knot is the type of knot tied to prevent a rope from slipping through a
grommet
Curtain grommets, used among others in shower curtains.
A grommet is a ring or edge strip inserted into a hole through thin material, typically a sheet of textile fabric, sheet metal or composite of carbon fiber, wood or honeycomb. Grommets ar ...
.
The
overhand knot
The overhand knot is one of the most fundamental knots, and it forms the basis of many others, including the simple noose, overhand loop, angler's loop, reef knot, fisherman's knot, Half hitch, and water knot. The overhand knot is a stopper, e ...
is the simplest single-strand stopper knot.
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.
Working end
The working end (or working part) of a rope is the part active in knot tying.
It is the part opposite of the
standing end.
See also
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
{{Knots
K