Page 27 - Knots, Splices and Rope Work: A Practical Treatise

end through the last loop, as at E.

To undo this shortening, it is only
necessary to slip out the free end, or
the bit of wood, and pull on the end,
when the entire knot will quickly

unravel.

The “Twist,” or “Double Chain,” is
made in a similar manner but is
commenced In a different way (A,
Fig. 71). It may also be made with
three separate pieces of line, as
shown in B, Fig. 71.

Hold the double loop in the left hand;
the part A is then brought over B;
with a half turn B is crossed over
to A, and then proceed as in the
ordinary three-strand plait until the
end of loop is reached, when the loose end is

fastened by passing through the bight and the
completed shortening appears as in Fig. 72.

This same process is often used by Mexicans and
Westerners in making bridles, headstalls, etc., of
leather. The leather to be used is slit lengthwise
from near one end to near the other, as shown in
Fig. 73, and the braid is formed as described.

The result appears as in Fig. 74, and in this way the
ends of the leather strap remain uncut, and thus
much stronger and neater than they would be were
three separate strips used.

Another handsome knot for shortening is the more
highly ornamental “Open Chain” (Fig. 75). Make

the first loop of the rope secure by a twist of the
rope and then pass the loose end through the preceding loop, to right and left alternately,