Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

CHAPTER XVIKNOTS, HITCHES, AND LASHINGSMuch depends on knowing how to tie just theright knot or other fastening for a certain job.In learning to tie knots, do not use small twine,but rope or cord at least an eight of an inch thick.Take plenty of it in hand, and do not begin toonear the end.The main part of a rope is called the "standingpart" (Fig. 98). When the end is bent back towardthe standing part, the loop thus formed iscalled a "bight," regardless of whether it crossesthe rope, as in the illustration, or only lies parallelwith it.For the sake of clearness, in the accompanyingillustrations, ends are shown pointed like thongs,and standing parts are left open to indicate that theyextend indefinitely. Parts of the knots are shadedto show plainly how the convolutions are formed.Stopper Knots.—A plain knot tied anywhereon a rope to keep it from slipping beyond that pointthrough a bight, sheave, ring, or other hole, is calleda stopper knot. Such a knot often is used, too, atthe end of a rope to keep the strands from unlaying.Overhand Knot (Fig. 99).—Simplest of allknots. Often used as component part of otherknots. Jams hard when under strain, and is hardtountie.Double Overhand Knot (Fig. 100).—If theend is passed through the bight two or more timesbefore hauling taut, a larger knot is made thanthe simple overhand.FiGURE-OF-ElGHT KnOT (Fig. lOl). ^AlsG271