This page explains commonly used terms related to knots.
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A bend is a knot used to join two lengths of rope.
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 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.
See working end.
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 is the 'handedness' of a knot. Topologically speaking, a knot and its mirror image may or may not have knot equivalence.[4]
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]
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]
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]
A flake refers to any number of turns in a coiled rope. Likewise, to flake a rope means to coil it.[1]
Fraps are a set of loops coiled perpendicularly around the wraps of a lashing as a means of tightening.[8]
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.\
A hitch is a knot that attaches a rope to some object, often a ring, rail, spar, or post.[10]
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.
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]
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]
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]
A noose can refer to any sliding loop in which the loop tightens when pulled.[3]
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]
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 a knot is the process of tightening it. Improper setting can cause certain knots to underperform.[6]
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]
Splicing is a method of joining two ropes done by untwisting and then re-weaving the rope's strands.[16]
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]
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]
A whipping is a binding knot tied around the end of a rope to prevent the rope from unraveling.[15]
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]