Page 45 - Alpheus Hyatt Verrill "Knots, Splices and Rope-Work"

Grommets are round, endless rings of rope useful in a myriad ways aboard ship as well as
ashore. They are often used as handles for chests, for rings with which to play quoits, to
lengthen rope, and in many similar ways. The grommet is formed of a single strand of
rope five times as long as the circumference of the grommet when complete.

Take the strand and lay one end across the other at the size of loop required and with the
long end follow the grooves or "lay" of the strand until back to where you started (Fig.
84), thus forming a two-stranded ring. Then continue twisting the free end between the
turns already made until the three-strand ring is complete (Fig. 85). Now finish and
secure the ends by making overhand knots, pass the ends underneath the nearest strands
and trim ends off close (Fig. 86). If care is taken and you remember to keep a strong twist
on the strand while "laying up" the grommet, the finished ring will be as firm and smooth
and endless as the original rope.