Page 46 - Randy Penn Everything Knots Book

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LEARNING TO TIE KNOTS

Many knots have more than one name, and sometimes one
name has been applied to more than one knot. When working with
other people, it is sometimes necessary to double-check that you
are in fact talking about the same knot when you refer to it simply
by name.

Knotting Functions

Different types of knots have different functions. A brief summary
here will help you see at a glance the different jobs done by knots
and the terms used to describe them.
The term bend refers to a knot that is used to join one rope
to another. This is normally done when one rope needs to be
longer, or when one type of rope needs to be fastened to another
type. The term hitch is used to describe a knot that attaches a rope
to an object, like a ring, bar, or post.
Other types of knots are stopper knots, loop knots, binding
knots, and decorative knots:

• Stopper knot: A knot tied in the end of a cord.
• Loop knot: A knot that makes a circle or loop out of cord.
• Binding knot: A knot that uses cordage to bind one or
more items.
• Decorative knot: A knot that is tied for its appearance.

Knot-Tying Terms

Knowing a few terms for knot tying is very important for following
both illustrations and descriptions in the text. When you work with
a rope, it generally has a standing part, bight, and running end
(FIGURE 3-1).
When a knot is tied at the end of a rope, the very tip is
referred to as the “running end.” In fishing publications, this sec-
tion may be referred to as the “tag end.” Using this term in knot-
ting directions gives the important distinction that the very tip of

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