Page 279 - Geoffrey Budworth, Jason Dalton "The Little Book of Incredibly Useful Knots"

Icicle hitch

The more prosaic name for this knot is an extended pile hitch. It was designed by John Smith of

Surrey, England, who first demonstrated its extraordinary resistance to a lengthwise pull in May
1990. What starts out as the working end will ultimately become the loaded one, so allow plenty
of length.

Start by making a crossing knot (1) around the rail or spar, then lead the long working end back up

and diagonally down across the front, before passing it up behind the spar again (2). Wrap and
tuck it at least four or five times around the spar, passing each time beneath the diagonal already
created (3). Finally, tuck the active end down beside the inert one (4). Tighten the knot, then
tighten it again. Now pull the long end away from the knot, so that the wrapping turns separate
and grip over a greater area (5). As long as the couple of turns furthest from the loaded end remain

together, the hitch should hold. If they separate, add more wrapping turns.