Page 212 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

206 the ultimate book of decorative knots

sHeet Bend the line attached and secured with a Double Sheet
The Sheet Bend is so named because it was the Bend, allows the same strength, security, and less
favoured knot used to tie (or bend) a sheet-line, or weight than a shackle – strange isn’t it? The Sheet
sail control line, onto the corner or clew of a sail. Bend is probably the favourite of net-makers,
It was very soon supplanted by the Tack Knot, because it lends itself very nicely to the actions
eventually followed by the Ring Hitch, and then required in making nets with a shuttle known as a
replaced closer to today by a mechanical fitting in netting needle. The Sheet Bend does not collapse
the form of a stainless steel shackle spliced onto the easily and does not readily pull out under strain,
end of the line, allowing the sheet-line to be shackled although I would stand to be corrected if the line is
to the sail. However, with the desire of racing sailors something other than spun polyester or manila line.
to have lighter fittings aboard, the shackle is now The appearance is something of a hybrid, however,
being replaced by the endless circle of line known combining as it does part of the square knot and
as a grommet, which, when tied through itself and part of the Carrick Bend structures.

1 start first with

an underhand
clockwise loop.

4 Finally, pass the second line up into the first

loop and pull both ends of the second line tight
to make the bend secure.

2 insert the second piece of cord down into the

loop from the right.

3 Wrap over and under each of

the legs of the first loop.

Here are the front and back, respectively, of the
Sheet Bend. It is not very glamorous here by
itself, but combine it with a hundred or more of
its friends and soon you will have a very attrac-
tive layout!