Tie a Sheepshank

The sheepshank is a useful knot for two purposes. It can be used to temporarily shorten a rope or it can allow a rope with a damaged or frayed part to still be useful. This knot requires tension to keep it from falling apart, but it also comes undone under heavy loads. By learning one of the methods of tying a sheepshank (or both of them), you will be able to secure truck loads and sailboats.

Steps

Making a Three-Loop Knot

1. Make loops. Take one end of the rope. Twist it over itself to form a loop. Hold the first loop so it doesn’t come undone and twist the rope over itself to form a same-sized loop in the middle. Now take the free end of the rope and draw it over itself to make a third loop.
   • If the knot is being made on a damaged rope, the damaged area should be on the top of the middle loop.
2. Cross the loops. Pull the right side of the middle loop under the right loop’s side and through the loop. Repeat the process, pulling the left part of the middle loop under and through the left loop.
3. Tighten the knot. Grasp the ends of the middle loop poking through the side loops. Pull both ends in opposite directions away from your body. Tighten the loop as desired.

Forming an End-Loop Knot

1. Make an S-shape. Twist a flat piece of rope by bringing one end up and the other down. The rope forms two curves called bights between the flat middle section and the upper and lower ends that point in opposite directions.
   • The middle part is the section that has no tension. If your rope is damaged, keep the damaged part in the middle.
2. Form loops. Take one end of the rope. Twist it backwards and over itself to form a loop. Repeat with the opposite end. The rope will still resemble an S except the ends are coiled.
3. Pull the bights through the loops. Pick up the curved part of the S, the bight. Hold the nearest loop still with your other hand and move the bight under and through it. Repeat with the other end. You’ll have rope crossing at both ends, leaving the loops sticking out like handles.
4. Tighten the knot. Grasp one of the loops in each hand. Pull them in opposite directions away from your body until the loop is as tight as desired.

Tips

• Another rope can be passed through the loops at each end of the finished knot, if desired.
• This knot holds best with a coarse rope. Synthetic ropes are smooth and slippery, so the knot can fail even with tension.
• The sheepshank will become loose when not under strain. An additional hitch may be added to prevent this.

Warnings

• Do not use this knot for rope in life-critical situations such as while rock climbing.

Related Articles

• Tie a Bowline Knot
• Tie a Rethreaded Figure of 8 Climbing Knot
• Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch)
• Tie a Square Knot

Sources and Citations

See also

• Tow a Boat
• Tie Fenders on a Boat
• Tie a Knot on a Hook
• Tie a Rose Bud Tie Knot
• Untie Tight Knots
• Tie a Hangmans Noose
• Make a Rope Ladder
• Braid Rope
• Tie a Square Knot
• Tie Sperrys

Read more ...

What links here

• Tie a Square Knot