Bends ()

The reef-knot

The reef-knot is only useful in simple applications. Ashley says "it is a true Binder Knot, for which it is admirable, but under no circumstances should it be used as a bend." It is easy tied and will not jam, so it is always easy to untie. It is used to tie packages, and as a base for he shoe-bow. Sailors used it for binding rolled sails or better reefed sails. And that is where it got its english name from. Americans call it the square knot. Probably because it looks square, or because it was much used on square-rigged-ships, but that is a total guess of me.
Its relatives, the granny, the thief-knot and the what-knot all have their purposes, but not as a trustful knot.
For more information on the reef-knot-family you may visit the Reef-knot Family.

The Sheet Bend

The sheet bend is my favorite bend. Be careful. With the loose end on the wrong side you have an other, weaker knot (Left-hand sheetbend). If the knot is well seized it does not matter if it is tied right or left handed
For more information on the reef-knot-family you may visit the Sheetbend Family.

The Carrick Bend / The Josephine Knot

Also known as Full carrick Bend, Sailor's Knot and Anchor Bend. Beware! There are not many knots with so much wrong drawings as this bend. The ends have to be on opposite sites and the crossings always are alternating up/down/up/down... The Carrick Bend is one of the best knots. Ashley states it is possible the nearest thing we have to a perfect bend. It does not easily slip, not even if the rope is wet. And it is always easy to untie, also after a heavy load. If used as a Hawser bend in heavy material it is always seized and parceled to save wear.
The Josephine Knot
In the Macrame this knot is called the Josephine Knot. It is self evident the Josephine knot is not seized nor pulled tight.

The True Lovers or Fishermans's Knot

The True Lovers, or Fisherman's Knot may be laid in two different ways. Which of both the is the stronger, I do not know.
With two equal overhandknots it is symmetrical. This is probably the most used variant.
With two different overhand knots you get the most beautiful version (always work it up neatly!)
Only ... The double eight is stronger, easier to untie after use and as decorative from all sides as the true lovers at best.

The Weavers-Eight

This is the best weaver knot I know. Although it looks difficult to tie, it is actually very easy. Fast to tie with small material, and reliable for wool, linen and most other weaver materials. Because both loose ends fall back over the standing part, it has an almost perfect lead.
Hold both threads together on the crossing between your thumb and finger. (first drawing)
Twist both threads together while you hold the cross in two simple movements. (first/Second drawing)
Now, you pull over the standing part of the line you tie on, (third drawing)
And put both loose ends over the line you tie on through the loop you just created.
Now let loose the cross and hold the loose ends fixed to the standing part of the line you tie with and pull the knot tight.
This knot is related with The (Flemish) Eight. You can observe this by removing the thread you tied the knot with, leaving the thread you tied the knot on unchanged. If you have difficulties in learning this knot, you can start by practicing the flemish eight in the thread you want to tie on, using an imaginary thread to tie with.

For the other direction
A weaver on a traditional weaving loom never knows in advance in what direction the next line has to be tied. Therefore he has to know two ways of tying the weaver knot. One for each direction. This is the same Weavers-Eight but tied different. Tied this way the knot points to the other direction.

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