Page 76 - Knots You Need to Know Easy-to-Follow Guide to the 30 Most Useful Knots

The Matthew Walker

Another handsome terminal knot with much the same uses as the tack
knot is the Matthew Walker. One of the oldest of multistrand knots—
mention of it appears in British admiralty records as early as 1644—it

was utilized in old sailing ships as a stopper knot to keep a line from
reeving out through a deadeye. Today it adds a distinctive element to any
number of ropeworking projects, such as making a lanyard or a ditty bag.

1. Lay open about 12 inches of rope; whip the throat and the end of each
strand to avoid fraying. Arrange the strands in crescents going
counterclockwise. Bring the left-hand strand (red) around the standing

part and pull it through its own bight, forming an overhand knot. Then
prepare to make a similar overhand knot around the standing part with
the center strand.