Page 77 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots

you could tie a stopper knot at this point, but that might interfere with inserting the rope
through a loop such as that on a highline. The back splice is constructed with the same

technique we use for the eye splice and short splice, but in order to start it correctly we
need to tie a crown knot in the end of the rope.

Crown Knot

To tie a crown knot, which will lead into a back splice, unravel six inches or so of rope (step
1). Pick the center strand (strand 1) and fold it down into a loop (step 2).

Crown knot, step 1.

Crown knot, step 2.

Pick the strand to its right (strand 2) and wrap it around the loop you’ve made (step 3),
making sure it stays on top of the one remaining unraveled strand (strand 3).
Then insert that last strand through the loop you first made, above strand 2. To complete
the knot, gently pull on each strand in turn, gradually tightening it (step 5).

The crown knot inverts the unraveled strands, facing them down toward the intact portion
of the rope. Now it’s a matter of starting the back splice by choosing any strand and tucking
it over and under, as with the eye splice. The pattern is the same, and when completed you
have a nice “handle” at the end of the rope, preventing it from unraveling but also giving you

something to grip should the rope pull through your hand. It looks good, too, and is compact
enough to slip through halter or highline rings if needed.