List of knot terminology

This page explains commonly used terms related to knots.

Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  

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 and the working end) or an arc in a rope that is at least as wide as a semicircle.[1] In either case, a bight is a length of rope that does not cross itself.[2] 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.[1] In binding knots, the ends of rope are either joined together or tucked under the turns of the knot.

Bitter end

See working end.

C

Capsizing

A knot that has capsized 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).[3]

Chirality

Chirality is the 'handedness' of a knot. Topologically speaking, a knot and its mirror image may or may not have knot equivalence.[4]

D

Decorative knot

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.[5] Decorative knotting is one of the oldest and most widely distributed folk art.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

F

Flake

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

Fraps

Fraps are a set of loops coiled perpendicularly around the wraps of a lashing as a means of tightening.[8]

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.[9] 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, or post.[10]

J

Jamming

A jamming knot is any knot that becomes very difficult to untie after use.[11] Knots that are resistant 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 scaffolding poles and the securing of sailing masts.[12][13] The square lashing, diagonal lashing, and shear lashing are well-known lashings used to bind poles perpendicularly, diagonally, and in parallel, respectively.[14]

Loop

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

A loop knot is the type of knot that forms a fixed loop. It is created either when the end of a rope is fastened to its own standing part or when a loop in the bight of a rope is knotted. Unlike a hitch, a loop knot creates a fixed loop in a rope that maintains its structure regardless of whether or not it is fastened to an object. In other words, a loop knot can be removed from an object without losing its shape.[1]

N

Noose

A noose can refer to any sliding loop in which the loop tightens when pulled.[3]

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

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 are similar to that of lashings.[15]

Setting

Setting a knot is the process of tightening it. Improper setting can cause certain knots to underperform.[6]

Slipped knot

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]

Splice

Splicing is a method of joining two ropes done by untwisting and then re-weaving the rope's strands.[16]

Standing end

The standing end (or standing part) of a rope is the part not active in knot tying.[1] It is the part opposite of the working end.[3]

Stopper knot

A stopper knot is the type of knot tied to prevent a rope slipping through a grommet.[17] The overhand knot is the simplest single-strand stopper knot.[1]

W

Whipping

A whipping is a binding knot tied around the end of a rope to prevent the rope from unraveling.[15]

Working end

The working end (or working part) of a rope is the part active in knot tying.[1] It is the part opposite of the standing end.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Clifford W., Ashley. The Ashley Book of Knots. Doubleday, New York. pp. 11–20, 219, 597–599. ISBN 0-385-04025-3. 
  2. ^ "Rope and Knot Terminology". Upper Ojai Search and Rescue Team. Ventura Country Sheriff's Department. http://www.ojaisar.org/knots.htm. Retrieved 19 July 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c d Budworth, Geoffrey (July 1, 1997). The Complete Book of Knots (1 ed.). The Lyons Press. pp. 156–157. ISBN 1558216324. 
  4. ^ "Basic Knot Theory Terminology". Stanford ESP. http://www.stanfordesp.org/media/uploaded/10_04/M916_Basic_Knot_Theory_Terminology.pdf. Retrieved 19 July 2011. 
  5. ^ a b c Owen, Peter (1994). The Book of Decorative Knots. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-55821-304-3. 
  6. ^ a b Kidd, Timothy W.; Jennifer Hazelrigs (2009). Rock Climbing. Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics. pp. 126–127. ISBN 0-7360-6802-3. 
  7. ^ Costantino, Maria (March 1, 2007). The Knot Handbook. Sterling. pp. 252–254. ISBN 1402748043. 
  8. ^ "U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-05.70 - Ropes and Knots". Headquarters, Department of the Army. May 2002. http://rk19-bielefeld-mitte.de/survival/FM/g.htm. Retrieved 23 July 2011. 
  9. ^ Adams, Mark (April 2005). "A Genealogy of Arborists’ Climbing Hitches". Arborist News. http://www.treebuzz.com/pdf/0505_geneology.pdf. 
  10. ^ Budworth, Geoffrey (September 1, 2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knots. Lyons Press. pp. 157. ISBN 1585746266. 
  11. ^ Partridge, William E. (1908). "The Knots in Common Use". Yachting 3: 97. http://books.google.com/books?id=1zQcAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA97&dq=knot+jam&hl=en&ei=qugpTvfaJ8HLgQfRreD5Cg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
  12. ^ Hasluck, Paul N., ed (October 15, 2009). Knotting And Splicing Ropes And Cordage. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. pp. 130. ISBN 1120308852. 
  13. ^ Biddlecombe, George (1990). The Art of Rigging (1 ed.). Mineola, New York. pp. 19. ISBN 0486263436. 
  14. ^ Macfarlan, Allan and Paulette (September 1, 1983). Knotcraft: The Practical and Entertaining Art of Tying Knots. Dover Publications. ISBN 0486245152. 
  15. ^ a b Merry, Barbara; Martin Dugard (February 16, 2000). The Splicing Handbook: Techniques for Modern and Traditional Ropes (2 ed.). International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press. pp. 113. ISBN 9780071354387. 
  16. ^ Smith, Hervey G. (September 1, 1990). The Arts of the Sailor: Knotting, Splicing and Ropework. Dover Publications. pp. 2. ISBN 0486264408. 
  17. ^ Charlie, Wing (May 2007). How Boat Things Work: An Illustrated Guide. McGraw-Hill. pp. 97. ISBN 0071493441.