Seizings are a class of stopping

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 used to semi-permanently bind together two

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, two parts of the same rope, or rope and another object. Akin to lashings, they use string or

small-stuff This page explains commonly used terms related to knots. B Bend A bend is a knot used to join two lengths of rope. Bight A bight has two meanings in knotting. It can mean either any central part of a rope (between the standing end a ...

to produce friction and leverage to immobilize larger ropes. Seizings are not recommended for heavy loads for critical use as strain reduces the diameter of the main rope and can permit slippage even with proper construction. According to ''

The Ashley Book of Knots ''The Ashley Book of Knots'' is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the American sailor and artist Clifford W. Ashley. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. The book contains 3,857 numbered en ...

'', "A ''seizing'' holds several objects together."Ashley (1944), p.546. The other type of stopping knots are

whipping knot A whipping knot or whipping is a binding (knot), binding of twine or Whipcord#Cord, whipcord around the end of a rope to prevent its natural tendency to fray. Some whippings are finished cleanly, as by drawing the bitter end of the cordage b ...

References

Knots {{Knot-stub

See also

References