Page 218 - The Ashley Book of Knots

KNOTS TIED IN THE BIGHT

one the legs together (BEND ~I474)' making a second loop the

size of the first, fill the bottle, take the two loops in hand and pro-

ceed according to plan.

1143. The name TRUE-LoVER'S KNOT is mentioned by Stephen

Blake in 1664. The knot is also called ENGLISH, ENGLISHMAN'S,

WATER, WATERMAN'S, FISHER'S and FISHERMAN'S KNOT or Loop. A

bit of folklore goes with this that may be found in Chapter 3 1

(~2420). The knot commences in much the same way as the previ-

ous knot, but only a single half twist or turn is taken in the two

parallel parts at the center. The bight is then pulled up through the

center. O~casionally one of the two component OVERHAND KNOTS

slips over the other and has to be righted, but generally it ties cor-

rectly without any bother. A strong but clumsy loop is formed that

is much favored by anglers.

, , 44

1144. A MONKEY CHAIN or CHAIN SHORTENING is generally given

as a BIGHT KNOT, but hardly belongs in the class as the end has to be

rove through the final loop of the chain, in order to make it secure.

Or the end may be seized, stopped or toggled instead. It is the most

common shortening for domestic purposes, being nothing more than

the crochet chain stitch, which is familiar to all good housewives.

It is used on window-shade cords and electric-light pulls. Roding

gives a picture of it in 1795.

1145. If a MONKEY CHAIN is toggled at either end it is not liable

to jam. Sometimes a MONKEY CHAIN is used to shorten a hay tackle

fall but this is severe treatment for rope.

1146. KNOT SHORTENING. Turn back two bights as if starting a

SHEEPSHANK KNOT (~II 52). Twist both ends and lead around the
1146

standing part in opposite directions to half knot the two bights to-

gether. The practice is not suitable for rope but it may be used in I 1 45"

packing cord when tightening a slack lashing. It is difficult to untie. •

1147. The BELL RINGER'S KNOT is mentioned in Hutton's Me-

chanics (1815). A single bight is lifted and the standing part above

is half hitched around it. The purpose is to keep the rope from the

belfry deck when the bell is not in use.
, '~'l

1148. Sometimes two hitches are made, which is more secure.

This may be required when the rope is so long that several turns are

hitched.

1149. The YARDARM KNOT is described in an old book on seaman-

ship. The upper part of the knot is lightly stopped with twine and

the lower end only is hitched. It is the same form as ~ II 47 with the

addition of a stopping, but it is the other side up. The knot was em-

ployed in a hanging at sea (see ~ 366). Precisely six feet of rope was

expended in the knot and when the seizing fetched against a block

it broke and the load was dropped six full feet.

1150. When a rope is only a little too long for its purpose a Bow-

LINE SHORTENING will be found reliable, expeditious and not liable

•
to Jam.

1150

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