Title:

Sailors Knot
Subtitle

Quick Guide for All Boaters for Sailboats, Powerboats, Fishing

Boats, Trawlers, Houseboats, Cruisers, and Loppers, Braided Rope
Bracelet.
Copyright © 2021 by (George Randy)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying,
recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical
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Printed in the United States of America.

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
BOWLINE
CLOVE HITCH
STOPPER KNOT
SHEET BEND
TWO HALF HITCHES
CLEAT HITCH
SAILORS KNOT
ROLLING HITCH
CREATING A SENNIT
ALTERNATING PATTERN
SAILOR KNOT
MORE KNOTS
HEAVING LINE KNOT
KNOTS
FISHERMAN’S BEND
BRACELET PATTERN
 INTRODUCTION
Even if you didn’t learn how to tie knots as a youngster, you may
pick up the skill quickly. Understand how a knot should look when
completed, and then practice tying it until you are able to do it while
blindfolded, is the secret.

When you cut a length of rope off the spool at the chandlery,
bring it onboard your boat, and assign it a purpose, the rope has been
transformed into a line that has been put to use. Every knot, hitch,
and bend you could possibly imagine is available for whatever use
your line is serving, whether it is a dock line, a dock whip, or a jib
sheet.

Knots can be classified into three categories. One type of knot is

the bowline knot, which is made at the end of a line, and the other
type is the stopper knot. The second category of connectors
comprises those that are used to join two lines together. They may
have the term “bend” in their name, as in a sheet bend, because the
word “bend” in sailor slang indicates the word “connect.” The last
form is referred to as a “hitch,” and it is used to attach a line to a
cleat, piling, or stanchion.

Even if you didn’t learn how to tie knots as a youngster, you may
pick up the skill quickly. Understand how a knot should look when
completed, and then practice tying it until you are able to do it while
blindfolded, is the secret. When studying knots, it is beneficial to
have a fundamental grasp of knot terminology. The terms “working”
and “standing” are used to refer to the endpoints of a line that are
“working” and “standing,” respectively. The working end is left
unattached, whilst the standing end is secured in place. A bight is a
loop that appears along the length of a line.
 BOWLINE

On a sailboat, the bowline is the most useful knot to know. Often

used to secure sheets to the clew of a headsail, it provides a
permanent noose at the end of a line that will not run or slip when
the line is pulled tight. Two bowlines can also be used to bring two
separate lines together. If you use a bowline, the most significant
advantage is that it can always be untied, no matter how tight it
becomes after being loaded for a period of time.

The well-known poem about tying a bowline begins, “The rabbit

comes out of the hole, wanders around the back of the tree, and then
leaps back into the hole.” The “rabbit” is formed by the working end
of the line, while the “hole” and “tree” are formed by the standing
end. Give a firm tug on both the tree and the rabbit’s ears at the same
time to ensure that the knot is correctly finished and that the knot
does not distort in any way. Turn the knot over and untie it by
bending the back of the knot downward to loosen it.

Create a closed loop in the line by crossing the working end over
the standing end. (See illustration.) Make a loop with your working
end, then wrap it around the back of the standing end and back into
it. Pulling on the knot with a vigorous tug will secure it. Untie the
bowline by turning it over and bending the back of the bowline
downward from the top.
 CLOVE HITCH
This knot is important since it can be tied in a short amount of
time. A fender whip is most typically used on sailboats to attach a
lifeline, stanchion base, or toerail, although it may be used on any
boat. Adjusting the height of a fender as needed is a straightforward
process. The clove hitch can also be used to temporarily secure a
dock line to a piling, but keep in mind that if the boat moves about at
the dock, the hitch may abruptly become unattached and fall out of
place.

Make a full circle around the object to which the line is

connected. Then cross the line over itself as you make another
round. To finish the knot, tuck the working end under itself and
draw it tight.

Or:

Step 1: In the first step, wrap the line’s end around the post (or
whatever you’re attaching it to).
 Step 2: Cross the line over itself to re-wrap it around the post.

Step 3: Pull the last wrap taut by gently loosening it and tucking
the end under. This is a knot-tying technique.
Step 4: Pull it tight a few times to make
sure it’s secure, and you’re done!
 STOPPER KNOT

To prevent a line from being pulled through a block or rope

clutch, tie a knot at the end of it. The most secure method is to tie a
double overhand stopper knot, sometimes known as a stopper knot
for short. This knot is more difficult to untangle than a simple
overhand knot or a figure eight knot.

The most basic method for making a true stopper knot is to use
your palm as a shape. Wrap the line’s end twice around your palm,
tuck the working end between the two loops, and pull the loops
away from your hand. After you’ve tried it, you’ll never use a figure
eight again.

Pass the working end twice around the palm of your open
hand, working your way backwards from the starting point. After
you’ve made two full wraps on your hand, slide the working end
beneath the wraps on your palm and away from your thumb. Then,
as the knot comes loose from your hand, use the end to pull it back
together.
 SHEET BEND

While tying two lines together, many sailors utilize a square

knot, which, when not in use, tends to come loose more easily. It is
much more secure, and it is much simpler to untie, the sheet bend
when two lines of uneven diameter need to be tied together. It also
performs much better. Its final shape is just somewhat different from
a square knot, as seen in the image, despite the fact that it is tied in a
slightly different manner.

Make a bight at the end of one of the lines in the pattern. Make
your way beneath and around both portions of the first line by using
the bight. Make a double knot by passing the working end of the
second line under itself and tightening it. .
 TWO HALF HITCHES

The name of this knot is self-explanatory: it is made up of a half

hitch followed by a second half hitch. It’s easy to tie, and it results in
a running noose that may be modified in size as needed. This hitch is
great for tying a line around an object in a secure manner. When
used in conjunction with a circular turn, it is an excellent technique
for tying a dock line to a piling. Alternatively, two half hitches can
be tied on top of one clove hitch to prevent a fender whip from
snagging.
 Pass the line around the thing you’re attaching it to a total of
two times. Once you’ve done that, knot one hitch on top of each
turn by slipping the working end of the line under the standing end
and pulling it through. To tie the second hitch, continue the
procedure as before. It is possible to knot two half hitches together
without using rounds, but the result will be less stable.
 CLEAT HITCH

When going down a dock in any marina, you will see that many
dock lines are not properly secured to the cleats. It’s easy to tie a
proper cleat hitch and it’s really effective. It can also be loosened
while under weight without the risk of losing a finger. Use this knot
for attaching a line to anything solid, such as an anchor, a dock, or
the surface of a boat deck.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to distinguish between

different knot families. Several knots, such as two half hits and the
cleat hitch, may be made using clove hits: the former is tied on the
standing end of a line, and the latter is wrapped around the hook
horns. As you get more practice tying these seven fundamental
knots, you’ll find that you’ll be able to tell the difference between a
knot that’s done correctly and one that’s done incorrectly based on
the form and shape of the knot.

Turn the cleat’s base completely around, directing the line so

that the standing piece of the line is completely clear of the cleat.
Next, turn around in a figure-eight pattern, beginning with one
cleat horn and working your way to the other. Passing the line
beneath itself and tightening it on the last curve are examples of
this.
 SAILORS KNOT
The Sailors Knot is a variation on the Josephine Knot that is
quite popular. The only distinction is that you’re utilizing two
separate wires, which is the only difference. In addition, there are
just two loops rather than the usual three.

When creating jewelry pieces such as the Leather Bracelet, this

elegant knot is a terrific technique to employ in the process.

It may also be used to link two wires together or as a mounting

knot on a wall or ceiling.

There are two more ways to use this knot that are listed below
the basic instructions: in a sennit (chain) and with an alternating
pattern of loops.

Step 1: You’ll need two ropes that are at least 36 inches in length
each to practice with.

While studying, it is quite advantageous to use two colors.

Attach both cables to your board in a vertical fashion.

Make the first counter-clockwise loop with the rope on the left
side of your body (brown).
 For the crossing point to be successful, ensure that the working
end passes beneath the secured end.

Step 2: Pass the working end of the right (green) cord through
the loop and beneath the working end of the left chord.

Bring it over the attached end as you rotate it counterclockwise

(left chord).
 Step 3: Weave the working end of the right cable through the
loop of the left cord, moving under - over - under the three segments
of the right cord.
 ROLLING HITCH

When a line becomes tangled in a winch drum while riding

turns, the rolling hitch comes to the rescue. This hitch is not
intended to be moved in any way. A rolling hitch tied to the standing
part of a jammed line with an additional line will release the jammed
line. The weight will be moved to the extraline and the jammed line
will be released. The rolling hitch will prevent any line secured to a
vertical cylindrical object, such as a stanchion, from slipping as a
result of its frictional resistance. This material may also be used to
create a non-slip adjustable noose, which is excellent for securing
awning tie-downs on a deck. The Boy Scouts refer to this knot as a
taut line hitch because they use it to tension lines tied to tent pegs,
which is what the name implies.

Wrap a line twice around a fixed line or post, then repeat the
process. Pass the working end of the first line over the standing
end of the second line, and then around the second line above the
first two turns to complete a third turn on the first line. If you
tug on the standing part of the first line, the hitch will not slip
down the second line.
 CREATING A SENNIT
It is possible to tie two distinct kinds of patterns using the Sailors
knot.

The first is a sennit, which is created by tying a large number of

knots in a vertical fashion. The knots might be close together or a
little more apart.

This design may be worn as a bracelet, belt, or strap, depending

on your preference.
 Step1: Tie the first Sailors Knot according to the instructions
above, close to one end of the cords. It should be fastened to your
board in some way.

The cables that will be in use will be the lengthy ends at the
bottom of the structure.
 Make a counterclockwise loop with the working cable on the left
side of the workstation (black).

When constructing a crossing point, make certain that the end

passes beneath the crossing point.
 Step 2: Cross the right (green) working cable across the loop to
complete the circuit.

Pass it beneath the end of the left cable that is still functional.

Pass it over the left cord segment that starts from the knot above,
and then tie it off.
 Step 3: Weave the right end of the loop under, over, and under
the three portions of the loop.

Pull on the two loops first to tighten the area above the knot.

Pull on the ends of the loops to tighten them.

Step 4: Rep steps 1–3 to complete the remaining sennit knots.

 ALTERNATING PATTERN

The Sailors Knot can also be used in an alternate pattern, much

like Alternating Square Knots.

Begin by securing three folded cables to your board, giving you

a total of six cords to manage.
 Step 1: Count the chords in your brain from left to right.

To form the first row of knots, use cords 1 - 2, 3 - 4, and 5 - 6.

Just like the last set of instructions, tie them at the top of the
page.
 Step 2: For the second row, alternate
the cables.
The initial knot is tied with cords 2 and 3. The next one is tied
with cords 4 and 5.

Tie them in the same manner as the last set of instructions (the
sennit).

Design Tip: Space was provided between the rows to make it

easier to observe the details in the photographs.

You may either duplicate this layout or keep the rows close
together when practicing.
 Step 5: Repeat step 2 but change the cords each time to make
extra rows.
 SAILOR KNOT

Step 1: Prepare a 20-cm white nylon cord and a 20-cm red nylon
cable, then tie both cords together to make tying easier; the white
one should be on the left.
 Step 2: Place the white cable working end beneath the secured
end to produce a counter-clockwise loop.
 Step 3: Construct an anti-clockwise loop with the red cord by
looping it under the white working end and wrapping it around it
once more.

Step 4: The red working end should be threaded through the

white loop by passing it under, over, and under the white cord three
times.
 MORE KNOTS
1

4
5
 HEAVING LINE KNOT

3
4

6
7

8
10

11

12
 KNOTS
1

3
FISHERMAN’S BEND
BRACELET PATTERN
1-2

3-4
1

3
4