Page 33 - Peter Randall - The Craft of the Knot

somewhat suited for ropes of different sizes, such as the Sheet Bend or the Double Sheet

Bend, and the other is to treat the join as if it were a hitch.
The Sheet Bend is commonly used when a rope of larger size is tied to a smaller one.

In this case, the larger cord is the one that is bent into a U-shape, as you’ll see in the
instructions for tying the Sheet Bend later in this chapter. If the size difference is too
large, however, this knot will be insecure. To help the join handle a bigger size

difference, you can use a Double Sheet Bend. These knots are also popular for ropes that
are of different material. For each circumstance, you must tie and test your join to
determine its suitability.

When the size difference of the ropes to be joined is significant, you may not want to
tie them together at all, but connect them with loops or hitches. A rope can also be tied
to a larger rope with a hitch just as if it were a pole. This is made easier if there is a

loop at the end of the larger rope to which a smaller rope can be attached with almost
any hitch. A loop can also be tied in each end so that they interlock. The Bowline Bend
is such a join and if the loop knots themselves are secure, this join is secure regardless of
the differences of the two ropes.

INTERLOCKING OVERHAND BENDS

A type of joining knot worth learning is the Interlocking Overhand Bend. In this type of
knot, the end of each rope forms an Overhand Knot, and they are intertwined. Out of
the many different joining knots that can be made from Interlocking Overhand Knots,
four are shown in this chapter: Ashley’s Bend, Hunter’s Bend, Zeppelin Bend, and
Butterfly Bend. These are all excellent bends, each with its own properties and tying

methods.

There are two approaches to tying Interlocking Overhand Knots. One is to tie an
Overhand Knot in one end, and then tie an Overhand in the other end while threading
this end through the first Overhand. The other method is to ignore the fact that the ends
make an Overhand Knot, and just intertwine both ends as needed to make the knot. This
is illustrated for each of these four knots in this chapter, along with a figure showing the

overhand structure of each.

You should try a number of the knots in this chapter before deciding which ones best
serve your needs. Some work better with smaller or larger cordage, some tie more
quickly and easily than others, and some are easier to untie. In some, the running ends
lead out the side of the knot. In others, they lie along the standing parts. While some

will be fun to tie, others may be too cumbersome. Whatever your preferences, the only
way you will find out what you like is by trying out all these bends.

ASHLEY’S BEND