Page 54 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Monkey’s Fist Knot

The monkey’s fist has a special
significance to sailors because it is

often the first thing that connects
them with the land at the end of a

voyage.
To get heavy ropes from ship to
shore or ship to ship, sailors first

throw a light rope, a heaving line that
is then used to pull the heavier rope

across. To give weight to the heaving
line, this beautiful big round knot is
often used. When the knot has been

made, but not tightened up,
something has to be put inside the

knot to give it shape and extra weight.
Either the end of the rope is tied into a
smaller stopper knot, such as the sink

stopper, and tucked inside, or a heavy
weight such as nut, ball bearing, or a

stone is used. Care should be taken
that the finished knot is not so heavy
Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices
as to be dangerous to the people
ashore. If it hits them, it might even
get cut off !

This knot is a favorite knot to
make a decorative key fob.

1 Wrap the rope round your hand three full
clockwise turns. Prepare to make the
next three turns at 90° to this first set of
turns by turning the rope so it points

away from you.

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