Here are three common approaches to creating nodes when making simple, one-wrap straps … and why you might choose one over another. There are differences in speed, appearance and relative security.
In all of the scenarios below, we are tying a series of one-wrap straps, running from the bottom of the screen to the top. You might do this for a mermaid tail, for example, or a sleep sack … or many other possible scenarios. You can also do this running downward just as easily as moving upward; you should practice both.
For this tutorial, I used one 30′ (~9m) piece of Natural 1/4″ (6mm) hemp.
I use an amazing Natural hemp rope provided by my affiliate Twisted Monk. Check them out!
Video Contents:
- Option 1 – Continuous Reverse Tension (0:32)
- Issues with Option 1 (3:00)
- Option 2 – Half Hitch, Under Stem (3:34)
- Benefits and Issues with Option 2 (5:10)
- Option 3 – Half Hitch, Over Stem (5:42)
- Benefits and Issues with Option 3 (7:12)
This option is the fastest, but least secure. It is also less regular or symmetrical in appearance.
Let’s see if we can improve on that!
This option is the slowest of the three we discuss here but it is still quite fast. It is also the most secure and features a regular, symmetrical appearance. This is the one I tend to use the most.
The Over-Stem Half Hitch is a nice balance of the two. It is almost as fast as Option 1, having only one tail pull, and features a regular, symmetric appearance. It is marginally less secure in that there is a little less friction holding the stem in place.