Carrick Bend
Also called Sailor’s knot
A join for heavy rope, woven strictly over-under. Laid flat it is one of the most handsome knots there is; under load it capsizes into a compact lump that still unties easily.
- Difficulty
- ●●○ Intermediate
- Security
- High
- Untying
- Easy
Drag to turn the knot. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
- 1Make a loop in the yellow end, with the end crossing over the standing part.
- 2Bring the blue end in under the yellow loop and start weaving.
- 3Keep going strictly over, under, over, under, crossing its own standing part on the way.
- 4Finish with the blue end leaving diagonally opposite the yellow end.
- 5Pull the standing parts. Laid flat it stays open; under load it rolls into a tight knot.
Arrow keys step through. Tags show whether the moving end passes over or under.
Use it for
- Joining heavy ropes, cables and hawsers.
- A decorative flat knot on its own, or the start of a mat.
Watch out
- Every crossing must alternate over and under, or it is not a carrick and may slip.
- The ends can work loose when it capsizes; seize them to the standing parts for a long-term join.
Untying
Push the loops apart; even after a load it opens easily.