Page 28 - Peter Randall - The Craft of the Knot

MONKEY’S FIST

The Monkey’s Fist Knot is most frequently used as a heaving knot, and can even be tied
around an object to make it heavier. The knot is also popular with children and is used

as a decorative knot (see Chapter 11 for more on decorative knots). It is made small to
give earrings a nautical look, larger to make key fobs, and larger still to make
doorstops. A pair tied to opposite ends of a two-foot cord makes a good cat toy.

Before you start making the knot, estimate the length of line needed by making nine
or ten loops of about the size that will be tied.

STEP 1 Make the initial set of three vertical turns.

STEP 2 Hold the turns in place as you add three horizontal turns.

STEP 3 Next, add three turns that go through the middle of the knot, wrapping over

the top and around the vertical turns.

STEP 4 Take care that the loops stay in place, and that they continue to stay in place,
as you carefully work the slack out through the knot, one turn at a time.