Page 171 - Derek E. Avery - The new encyclopedia of knots

to slip your fingers through them. Now slip your fingers through the

thumb knots, taking hold of the two central interlocking pieces of rope.
Pull the right central rope to the right and the left central rope to the left
through their respective thumb knots to form a bight on each side (figure
113.3); see also decorative shamrock knot.

figure 113.2

figure 113.3

Sheave: a grooved wheel, set within the framework of a block.

Sheep shank: a very old knot, largely now overlooked or discarded. It is
used to shorten the length of a rope without cutting it, or to

circumnavigate a weak or damaged portion of rope. The knot is tied in
the bight of a rope, without using ends, it holds fast under tension, yet
falls apart when slackened.