Page 81 - The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots

TRICORN LOOP

Purpose

This fixed loop is more secure than a common bowline. It also has a small
amount of adjustment within it, enabling a washing line, a guy line or an archer’s

bow string to be tensioned or slackened as required. At first glance it resembles

the Eskimo bowline (pages 78–79), and they could double for one another, but
this knot has an extra crossing point.

Tying
Tie an overhand knot and then open the twin knot parts to create an imperfect

figure of eight layout (figure 1). Tuck the working end over-under-over as shown
(figure 2). To tighten this knot, pull on both the standing part of the line and the

loop leg indicated (figure 3), when it will capsize into its final compact form
(figure 4). The size of the loop can be reduced by first loosening the knot’s nip

around the sharp bight contained within it, and then pulling through a longer

working end. Conversely, if a long working end was left when the knot was first
tied, the loop may be lengthened by a similar process.

Knot lore
This is another of my own knots. I make no claim that it is original but, because

of the neat three-cornered texture on both sides of this knot, I have named it
accordingly.