Page 47 - Peter Randall - The Craft of the Knot

Chapter 3

EASY LOOPS

A rope with a loop tied in it is a completely different tool than one without a loop.
The majority of tasks you will ever do with rope or string can be done or aided by tying
a loop in it.

As the most versatile knot you can tie, a loop can function in any category of knot,
including a stopper knot, hitch, part of a bend, and even as binding or decoration. A
loop can be used as a hitch either by tying and then passing the loop over the end of an

object, or by first passing the end around an object and then tying. Two interlocking
loops can be used to fasten one rope to another, thereby making a reliable bend.

There are many different loop knots to choose from. You can tie a loop at the end of a
rope or in the middle. It can slide like a noose or be locked in place, or even have
multiple turns.

A locked fixed loop does not slide and keeps its size when strain is placed on it. Once
a locked loop is tied, it can be thrown over a peg or hook to secure the rope, and then
lifted off and used again. If tied for a handhold or around your waist, it will not close

down on you. The Bowline Loop is probably the most well-known of this form. Some
locked loops are made by splicing a three-stranded rope and using the strands to tie the
loop.

When you need more than one loop, you can tie a knot with multiple loops.
Complexly shaped objects can be hoisted without tilting, and a single rope can be
fastened to multiple anchor points. Loops can even be different sizes. If you need a

large number of custom-sized loops for hoisting or binding, you can start with a small
fixed loop with a large running end left over. Repeatedly make your loops with the
running end, passing it through the locked loop each time, tying off the last one.

You may need a loop that is adjustable in size. Sliding loops, also called nooses or slip
loops, fill this purpose. Fishermen often want a loop that will hold its shape until just

enough pressure is put on it, causing it to pull down with a jerk that sets a hook in a
fish. Sometimes you just want your loop to fit something snugly, but need to tie it ahead
of time. If you have a fixed loop and need to make it larger, you can just pull a bight of
the standing part through the loop, giving you as large of a loop as needed. An example

of this is the Running Bowline.