Page 37 - Mark Gommers "Bowlines Analysis

Complex Collar Structures (Based on a ‘Myrtle’)

Derek Smith advised that:
Dave Root spotted this basic knot in the wild quite some time ago now, holding up a Myrtle
tree, and after some discussion it was given the name of ‘Myrtle Loop knot’.

A defining characteristic of a Myrtle is that each leg of the collar feeds into the
nipping loop from opposite sides – forming a loop. The collar makes a U turn around
the crossing point of the nipping loop. The legs of the collar have a crossing point
(marked ‘C’ bottom left) and do not lie in parallel as with a standard #1010 Bowline.
SPart
Ensure that the returning eye leg enters

Collar  the nipping loop from the opposite side
relative to the ongoing eye leg.

This is the basis
for tying an
‘Anti-Bowline’

 !
Nipping loop
Returning
eye leg
Returning Returning
eye leg
eye leg

SPart SPart

Collar Collar
Tail

C

Exiting leg Left hand Exiting leg of
of the collar
the collar forms
forms a loop (S twist) a loop (Z twist)
Right hand Returning (S twist)
(Z twist) eye leg Ongoing Right hand
eye leg
(Z twist)
This Myrtle structure is stable.
Compare this structure to the image
Key Concept: A stable Myrtle is achieved when the returning eye leg enters Right hand

the nipping loop from the opposite side relative to the ongoing eye leg. (Z twist) at left. Note that both loops have the
Stability is further enhanced by ensuring that the loop created by the same handedness (chirality) and this
exiting leg of the collar is of opposite chirality to the nipping loop. reduces stability.

Page 36 of 59 Bowline Analysis Version 2.7a 16 July 2016 © Copyright Mark Gommers