Page 181 - The New Encyclopedia of Knots

Thimble: a metal or plastic loop, U-shaped in cross-section to hold the rope in position, used to help
in forming an eye (figure 135).

figure 136

Thread: a yarn or fine line used for sewing.

Three and a half turn clinch knot or half blood knot: useful for attaching a hook to a thicker line and
where the five turns of the improved half blood knot (see page 19) will not tighten snugly.

figure 137

Pass the end through the eye of the hook and take three and a half turns around its standing part, before
bringing the end back through the first turn next to the eye of the hook (figure 136). To tighten the knot,

first dampen the knot and hold the hook by means of a pair of pliers in your right hand. If you are
using heavy monofilament line, use a rag around your hand to grip the standing part of the line, both to
increase the purchase on the line and to protect your hand. Pull steadily on the standing part, and

finish by trimming the end.

‘Threef’ knot: a reef knot to all intents and purposes, except that it has been mis-tied. With the reef
knot (see page 130) both ends emerge on the top side of the knot; however, here one finishes at the top
and the other finishes at the bottom.

Form a bight in the left-hand rope, with the working end at the top. Pass the end of the other rope
upwards through this bight and take a turn around both parts of the first (left-hand side) rope. Now

take the end back down through the bight on the bottom side of its standing part (figure 137, bottom).

This knot is used as a telltale knot; should the original threef be untied by a thief, the chances are that
he or she would tie it up again correctly as a reef knot, thereby disclosing the fact that the knot and the
item that it held closed had been disturbed.

Thumb knot: or overhand knot: the simplest of stopper knots, and not particularly useful on its own
except for tying parcels.

Form a bight by crossing the end over the standing part of the rope. Draw the end upwards through