Tie an alpine butterfly loop
A strong, fixed loop in the middle of a rope, with no ends needed. Wrap it around your hand and it's done in seconds.
- Wrap the rope around your hand twice, finishing the second turn near your thumb.
- Pick up the turn that's nearest your fingertips.
- Wrap that turn around the other two turns. It becomes the loop.
- Slide the knot off your hand and pull the loop and both ends to tighten.
Tip: It holds a load on the loop or between the two ends, and it's a safe way to isolate a damaged section of rope.
Try it now: Tie a butterfly in the middle of a phone charger cable or a dressing gown cord, then pull the ends and the loop in turn.
Next crumbs
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- 🪢 KnotsTie a boat to a dock cleatThe knot every dock hand expects you to know. Figure-eights around a cleat hold fast but come off in a second.