A chain sinnet (or chain sennit) is a method of shortening a
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 similarl ...
or other
cable
Cable may refer to:
Mechanical
* Nautical cable, an assembly of three or more ropes woven against the weave of the ropes, rendering it virtually waterproof
* Wire rope, a type of rope that consists of several strands of metal wire laid into a hel ...
while in use or for storage. It is formed by making a series of simple
crochet
Crochet (; ) is a process of creating textiles by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread, or strands of other materials. The name is derived from the French term ''crochet'', meaning 'hook'. Hooks can be made from a variety of ...
-like stitches in the line.
[Clifford W. Ashley, ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 209.] It can also reduce tangling while a rope is being washed in a washing machine.
Tying
To tie:
#Create a loop in the rope. Then pull a
bight of the working part through the loop, creating an
overhand noose knot.
#Pull another bight of the working part through the loop of the previous stitch.
#Tighten the stitch to the desired degree by pulling on both sides of the loop. Adjust the loop by pulling on the working end to keep it a reasonable size.
#Repeat steps 2–3 until the rope has been sufficiently shortened.
#To lock the sinnet, pass the working end through the final loop.
To restore the rope to its original length, pull the end passed in the last step back through the final loop and pull on the free end. The sinnet will quickly unravel.
As an alternative for long ropes the rope can be doubled one or more times before chaining. All one needs to do is keep hold of one end and feed through out of the pile of rope to the other end, then start from the two conjoined ends, or then keep hold of the two ends, and feed back to the middle and then start chaining. This can be done in confined spaces or dangling in mid-air if need be, and is a common way to manage caving ropes without introducing troublesome twist.
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 ...
*
Chain stitch
Chain stitch is a sewing and embroidery technique in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. Chain stitch is an ancient craft – examples of surviving Chinese chain stitch embroidery worked in silk thread have been dated ...
*
Coil knot
A coiling or coil is a curve, helix, or spiral used for storing rope or cable in compact and reliable yet easily attainable form. They are often discussed with knots.
Mountaineer's coil
The mountaineer's coil (also alpine coil, climber's co ...
*
Daisy chain
*
Sennit
Sennit is a type of cordage made by plaiting strands of dried fibre or grass. It can be used ornamentally in crafts, like a kind of ''macramé'', or to make straw hats. Sennit is an important material in the cultures of Oceania, where it is use ...
*
Sling (climbing equipment)
A sling or runner is an item of climbing equipment consisting of a tied or sewn loop of webbing. These can be wrapped around sections of rock, hitched to other pieces of equipment, or tied directly to a tensioned line using a Prusik style knot ...
References
External links
Chain stitch with animationBoater's Tip: The Chain Sinnet ('Daisy Chain') Knot
Knots
Shortening knots
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