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Trailerboat Fisherman

Carrick Bend

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The Carrick Bend is most likely the nearest of the bends to perfect in that it is symmetrical. Easy to tie, it has good holding holding wet ropes and doesn''t jam, making it relatively easy to untie.

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Knots Description

Carrick Bend

The Carrick Bend is most likely the nearest of the bends to perfect in that it is symmetrical. Easy to tie, it has good holding holding wet ropes and doesn't jam, making it relatively easy to untie. Even when left water soaked for lengthy periods, a few taps and it will open. The Carrick Bend is most used when working larger ropes or lighter cable for towing situations.
The Carrick Bend is also called the Josephine Knot when used in lighter cords and needlework. Multiples of the knot, left flat, make common decorative patterns, regularly sighted in military braids. A knot is created each time the two ends are tucked down at the top or bottom.
NOTE: The Carrick Bend is all too often confused with a number of similar looking knots. Beware there are subtle differences and most others are not as strong and can collapse. The Single Carrick Knot, The Reef Knot and the humble Granny Knot all look amazingly similar!

About Rope Knots

Regardless of your situation at some point in your life you’ll encounter a thread, cord or rope knot. Research records of archaeologist J Wymer shows records of knots as far back as 380,000 years ago! Some of these knots are as described, as used then, on this site.

 

Your life will be made easier and safer with some knowledge of how to tie a knot.

This site holds over 250 different animated knots. That is more than most could be expected to reasonably use. However, the question still remains; for the situation you currently find yourself, which knot should you use?

It is my hope that the animated illustrations provided on this site will assist and encourage you to extend your knot tying skills.

Rope knots can basically be divided into the following groups:

  1. Bends    - Joining two lines by intertwining them, without splicing, or sewing.
  2. Hitches  - A knot that secures a rope or line to another object.
  3. Stopper  – Used to bind strands at the end of a rope to stop fraying or unraveling.
               Also formed to stop a rope slipping through a hole or to provide a weight or handhold.
  4. Bindings – Much like hitches. They are used to bind either lines or objects together. Their aim is
               to keep objects in place.
  5. Splices  – Describes the act of joining the ends, or the end and a standing part, of rope by
               interweaving strands. They are not knots in themselves.
  6. Loops    – Loops create structures used to tie, or secure, another object or line to another line.
               They can be formed at the end or midway a length of rope.
  7. Plaits   - Weaving several lines together to form a pattern and a cohesive structure.
  8. Miscellaneous & Decorative – Knots that have decorative, dress or multiple category
               characteristics.

The rope knot section of this site is set out with these groups firmly in mind.

Good luck

Andy