Page 58 - Peter Randall "The Craft of the Knot.."

that will hold its shape until just enough pressure is put on it, causing it
to pull down with a jerk that sets a hook in a fish. Sometimes you just
want your loop to fit something snugly, but need to tie it ahead of time.
If you have a fixed loop and need to make it larger, you can just pull a
bight of the standing part through the loop, giving you as large of a loop

as needed. An example of this is the Running Bowline.
There is a world of loop knots to choose from, and even if you prefer

to remember just one locked loop, you can make a sliding loop or a
multiple loop from it. Loop knots are rewarding to learn and tie, and
rope becomes quite a diverse tool when you learn them.

BOWLINE LOOP

Commonly referred to as the “Bowline,” this loop knot has been in such

widespread use that it is also referred to as the “king of knots.” It is still
in much use today, and with a little caution can be used in the newer
synthetic materials.

STEP 1 Make a crossing turn.

STEP 2 Bring the running end up through it, and then behind the
standing part.