Page 48 - Colin Jarman "The Essential Knot Book"

11 ROLLING HITCH ON A ROPE

Used to secure one line to another, for example a line being used to relieve
tension on another, the Rolling Hitch remains most secure when load is applied
from a direction roughly parallel or at an acute angle to the standing rope.

The Hitch is formed by taking a turn about the standing rope followed by a
second crossing over itself. This immediately locks the line and a final Half
Hitch finishes the whole thing off. Greatest security is achieved if the turns are
put on with the lay of the standing rope.

Occasionally a very stiff or springy synthetic rope will not remain secure when
formed into a Rolling Hitch. It slips simply because the turns cannot grip
properly. In this case a third initial turn should be taken to help bind the rope to
either spar or second rope.