Page 51 - Peter Randall - The Craft of the Knot

quickly with just a little practice.

DIRECTIONAL FIGURE EIGHT

The Directional Figure Eight is an excellent loop that can be tied in the end of a rope to
be used as a fixed loop, or anywhere in the middle where the pull will be along the
direction of the rope.

STEP 1 Start by making a bight, then fold it back along one side.

STEP 2 Pass the bight behind the standing part and back under the first crossing turn,
exactly in the manner of making a Figure Eight.

STEP 3 As you tighten the knot, the final loop will lay in the direction that strain will
be placed on it.

The Directional Figure Eight can be tied so that the loop points right or left. The steps
illustrated here result in a left-pointing loop. To tie a right-pointing one, start the first
tuck in the opposite direction. A good rule of thumb to remember is that you start the

first tuck in the opposite direction from which you want the loop to lay.