Crown Knot
The strands at the end of a laid rope are folded over each other in turn, so each one passes over the next and under the one before. The ends point back down the rope. It is the start of the back splice and of many decorative knots.
- Difficulty
- ●●○ Intermediate
- Security
- Needs finishing
- Untying
- Easy
Drawing being redrawn. This 3D model does not yet show the knot clearly enough to learn from. Use the written steps for now; the corrected drawing will replace it.
Drag to turn the knot. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
- 1Unlay the end of the rope a short way and spread the three strands.
- 2Fold the first strand over toward the next one, leaving a small bight.
- 3Fold the second strand over the first.
- 4Fold the last strand over the second and through the bight of the first. The ends now point down the rope.
- 5Pull each strand a little at a time until the crown is snug and even.
Arrow keys step through. Tags show whether the moving end passes over or under.
Use it for
- The first step of a back splice, which finishes a rope end without whipping.
- With a wall knot, the manrope and diamond knots.
Watch out
- On its own a crown is not secure. Finish it with a back splice or another knot.
- Unlay only as much rope as you need, and tape the strand ends.
Untying
Lift each strand back out of the bight it passes through.