Page 253 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Half Hitching

A very simple series of interlocked
half hitches makes a very effective

decorative covering for almost
anything from knife handle, flagon,
needle case, water bottle, to rope

fenders. The hitching may be worked
in very fine material with a needle, or

in large rope for the largest of tug
fenders using a large spike or fid. One
thing to be remembered about half

hitching is that it takes a long time.
Many people who start covering an

object with half hitching think that
they must be doing it incorrectly as it

takes so long. As a guide, you are
doing very well if you can hitch eight
to ten yards in an hour. There are lots

of variations on the basic “stitch” that
will give a differing texture and effect.

Probably the most useful is the use of
one or two lazy strands. These strands

do not actually do any work, but they
do help the work grow a lot quicker.

Continued, on page 252.

1 To start, take a turn of rope round the

object to be covered and make a half
hitch round the turn
2 Continue to make more half hitches

round the turn.

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