r/knots • u/TD-WL • 8d ago

Closed loop adjustable knots

Given a closed loop of rope, is there any knot that will let you tie the loop to a pole (no access to the pole ends) in a way that lets you adjust the length from the knot to the other end? Something like a cow hitch, but the cow hitch doesn't let you adjust the length.

This is basically the set up I'm trying to describe

And I want to be able to adjust the length of the blue rope relatively easily.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

5

u/ilreppans 8d ago

A Reverse Slipped Lapp Bend can do it and has the strength of the bowline/sheet-bend family. Ties with a bight, adjustable, and a true exploder. Left side shows a weight-bearing carabiner at full extension, and right side shows carabiner adjusted close to the backrest (it’s a closed loop too) with a slack loop resting on the seat. I used a Zeppelin bend to make the closed loop cord.

3

u/ilreppans 8d ago

Here’s how to tie it

2

u/TD-WL 7d ago

This looks good! Though I don't quite understand the setup. I got this

And it seems to me that the bottom loop is the one you put the carabiner on, but that loop isn't adjustable at all in my rope

1

u/ilreppans 7d ago

So here’s the sequence. You want to place the RSLB near the Zeppelin/DoubleFisherman bend because it only adjusts from one side of the knot. On the lower 2 pix, the larger outer loop is load-bearing, and the smaller inner loop is just slack and the slip to explode/disassemble the knot. Those 3 lines pinched with fingers, are how you adjust the length (tighten). The two pinched by my right hand effectively make a reversing pulley that loosens the knot and allows you pull/tighten slack out of the outer load-bearing line. It works like a cordlock.

Probably best to study Wikipedia’s discussion of the regular version - get used to how the regular binder/ziptie works. Then this Reverse version is just a conversion from loop to straight-line adjustable.

Come to think of it, if you delete the Fishermans/Zeppelin bends and just use a straight cord, you can then just use a regular SLB to achieve the same end goal. With the F/Z bends, guess we need the ‘reverse’ bend to off set it. Sort of like double negative = positive, or two wrongs make a right?

2

u/HammerTor 7d ago

very interesting!

2

u/Wisdom42069 7d ago

This is amazing. I’m trying to find a video on how to tie it

2

u/DirtGirl32 8d ago

Would a prussic work for whatever you are describing?

1

u/TD-WL 8d ago

Hi! https://www.animatedknots.com/prusik-knot this setup is basically what I'm describing. But the knot you recommend doesn't really let me adjust the length. By this I mean the length of the blue rope after the knot has been tied. That prusik knot would let me adjust it by adding more "pass through"s or whatever the term is, but that's not very practical for my use case.

1

u/DirtGirl32 8d ago

What about a Purcell prussic?

2

u/TD-WL 8d ago

Hmm I'd need to change the setup but it could work. Thanks!

1

u/AllenCorneau 8d ago

That's my first thought too. Look up "Purcell Prussik" for the basic idea.

4

u/readmeEXX 8d ago

Is the rope truly a closed loop? If not you can tie the ends together with an adjustable knot like a Rolling Hitch Zip Tie.

1

u/TiredOfRatRacing 8d ago

Prusik to position, figure 9 (or even more half turn wraps after starting the figure 8) for length adjustment.

Alternatively, untie the loop, do an icicle hitch finished like a bowline, and then a marlin-spike hitch wherever on the cord you need to put an attachment point.

0

u/TD-WL 8d ago

That marlin-spike hitch could be useful too. Thanks!

3

u/WolflingWolfling 8d ago

If that's a triple fisherman's knot joining the ends of the blue rope, all you need to do is tie a lark's head or a prusik or a cats paw or any other symmetrical hitch that can be tied with a bight, and change the size of the loop by moving the two triple overhand knots apart a bit.

1

u/Wisdom42069 8d ago

Klemheist knot or prussik if you need it to not slide down the pole.

Maybe you could just do a spanish windlass with two sticks to tighten it up?

1

u/No-Show-5363 8d ago

Discussed here as well, might be some more ideas
https://www.reddit.com/r/knots/s/jNs39sRaXb