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Diagram

Australian Plait

Aussie plait · Australian braid double

Making a double line for a loop-to-loop leader connection, as an alternative to the Bimini twist. The finished knot passes easily through rod guides or rollers.

Loop · Advanced · Monofilament / Fluorocarbon / Braid · 4 steps

ApplicationsHow to tie it
Australian Plait, finishedAustralian Plait, finished

Finished structure

Drawn from a rope model of this knot: which strand passes over which comes from where the rope actually lies.

  1. Double the line into a long loop, leaving a long tag end beside the main lineThe line folded back on itself into a long narrow loop, with a long tag end running back beside the main line from the base of the loop.
    1Tag end, long enough to plait with
    2Long loop: the double line
    3Main line, to the rod
    Move 1 of 1Double the line into a long loop, leaving a long tag end beside the main lineYou should now see: A long doubled loop with the tag hanging free beside the main line, the tag clearly longer than the plait you plan.

    Step 01

    Double the line into a loop as long as the double you need, leaving a long tag end to plait with.

    You should now see

    A long doubled loop with the tag end hanging free beside the standing line, clearly longer than the plait you plan to make.

    If it goes wrong

    Leaving the tag too short for the plait your line class needs. The tag runs out before the plait reaches its length, with nothing left for the finish.

    Fix: Unpick the plait and start again with a longer tag. A plait that is too short cannot be lengthened once it is made.

    Why: NetKnots sizes the plait by line class, from 2.5 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 in) in the lightest line to 20 cm (8 in) in the heaviest. The tag has to cover that length plus a few more plaits for the finish.

  2. Wrap the tag back round the main line, then up between the two strands of the loopAt the base of the loop the tag goes once round the main line and comes up between the two loop strands, so three strands lie side by side: loop, tag, loop.
    1Tag, once round the main line
    2Tag between the loop strands
    Move 1 of 3Wrap the tag back round the main line, then up between the two strands of the loop
    Plait the tag over and under the two loop strands in turnThe tag and the two loop strands plaited together from the base of the loop, each strand passing alternately over and under the next.
    1Plait: tag over, then under
    Move 2 of 3Plait the tag over and under the two loop strands in turn
    Keep plaiting with tension on the main line until the plait is long enoughA longer plait of three strands, the tag and the two loop strands, even along its length, with the tag leaving its far end.
    Move 3 of 3Keep plaiting with tension on the main line until the plait is long enoughYou should now see: A tight, even plait along the base of the loop, every crossing the same size and no strand bulging out.

    Step 02

    Wrap the tag back around the main line and between the two strands of the loop, then keep plaiting with alternating over and under wraps, pinching the plait and keeping tension on the main line.

    You should now see

    A tight, even plait growing along the base of the loop, each crossing the same size and no loose strand bulging out.

    If it goes wrong

    Missing an alternation or letting the main line go slack. The plait shows a loose or doubled crossing and spreads open when you stop pinching it.

    Fix: Unpick back to the last tight, even crossing and plait on from there, keeping tension on the main line and the plait pinched.

    Why: The plait holds because each wrap of the tag squeezes the two loop strands together. A loose crossing lets the strands slide, and the double can pull out under load.

  3. Fold the tag into a small loop and plait about three more times with it doubledThe tag folded back on itself; the doubled tag carries the plait on for three more crossings and its small loop lies open beside the loop strands.
    1Small loop in the tag
    2Doubled tag, plaited
    Move 1 of 2Fold the tag into a small loop and plait about three more times with it doubled
    Pull the big line loop all the way through the small tag loopThe two strands of the big loop pass through the open small loop of tag at the end of the plait.
    1Small tag loop, still open
    2Big loop, through it
    Move 2 of 2Pull the big line loop all the way through the small tag loopYou should now see: The big loop has gone all the way through the small tag loop at the end of the plait, and the tag loop is still open.

    Step 03

    Fold the tag into a small loop, plait about three more times with the doubled tag, then pull the big line loop through the small tag loop.

    You should now see

    The big loop passed all the way through the small tag loop at the end of the plait, with the tag loop still open.

    If it goes wrong

    Pulling the tag loop shut before the big loop has gone all the way through it. The finish closes on nothing and the end of the plait starts to open.

    Fix: Open the tag loop again and pull the rest of the big loop through before tightening anything.

    Why: Closing the tag loop around the doubled line stops the plait unravelling from its end.

  4. Wet the knot, pull the tag steadily to close its loop, test the double, then trimThe finished plait with the tag's small loop drawn tight round both strands of the double at its end, and the tag trimmed short.
    1Tag loop closed round the double
    2Trimmed tag
    Move 1 of 1Wet the knot, pull the tag steadily to close its loop, test the double, then trimYou should now see: The tag loop closed tight round the double at the end of the plait, the plait firm under a hard pull, and a short tag.

    Step 04

    Wet the knot and tighten it by pulling the tag steadily. Give the double a hard pull, then trim the tag.

    You should now see

    The tag loop closed tight around the base of the double at the end of the plait, the plait still firm under a hard pull on the double, and a short tag.

    If it goes wrong

    Tightening fast and dry. The finish sits loose and the end of the plait opens under the test pull.

    Fix: If the tag loop closed on nothing or the plait loosened, cut the plait off and tie it again. Pull hard on the double before trimming the tag.

    Why: Pulling the tag smoothly draws the last plaits tight behind it.

HTH · Reference layout

Australian Plait — finished-state checks, on the shared reference layout

Australian Plait — finished-state checks, on the shared reference layout
Hook the Horizon reference plate
Failure modes

When this family fails, it fails as these. The recovered end still outranks the name.

Double-line family

A load-bearing loop of doubled line, locked so it cannot crawl back.

  • !Twists or wraps not packed before the lock
  • !Lock that crawls back into the double
  • !Uneven legs — one side takes the shock
Fails when
  • !Plait left loose, so the loop strands slide and the double pulls out under load
  • !Tag loop closed on nothing, so the plait unravels from its end
  • !Finish tightened fast and dry, so it sits loose and the end of the plait opens
Geometry

  • Loose plait that is not a double

    Unravels in the guides

    A plaited double is density plus a lock, not three loose strands · step 02

  • Too short a double to plait tightly

    Cannot be locked; walks on the first load

    The double has to be long enough to plait and lock · step 01

  • Incomplete lock at the plait end

    Unlocks on the first load

    An unlocked plait end is unfinished · step 03

If you saw this

  • Plait loosens under load

    Check

    • ?Plait density
    • ?End lock

    Then

    • →Rebuild tighter
    • →Use Bimini when conditions allow

  • Finished check failed — Loose plait with gaps

    Check

    • ?Plaited double-line section uniform
    • ?Locking finish secure
    • ?Legs share load

    Then

    • →Retie. A gappy plait concentrates load on one leg and fails early.

  • Loose plait that is not a double

    Check

    • ?Unravels in the guides
    • ?Inspect step 02

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.

  • Too short a double to plait tightly

    Check

    • ?Cannot be locked; walks on the first load
    • ?Inspect step 01

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.

  • Incomplete lock at the plait end

    Check

    • ?Unlocks on the first load
    • ?Inspect step 03

    Then

    • →Retie. Do not dress a defective structure and call it seated.
Same family

Same failure class, different geometry. Open the plates — Diagnose still starts from the symptom.

This failed — start Diagnose

Why this knot

What it earns its place with, what it costs, and what to reach for instead.

Best for
Loop connectionsHigh strength
Not ideal for
  • Quick bankside reties
  • Beginners without practice
Common mistakes
  • Leaving the tag too short for the plait length the line class needs
  • Missing an over-and-under alternation, or letting the main line go slack while plaiting
  • Closing the tag loop before the big loop has passed all the way through it
  • Tightening the finish fast or dry
Alternatives
  • Bimini TwistAdvanced

    Making a double line with a loop at the end, for loop-to-loop leader connections or as the doubled line in knots such as the Yucatan

  • Spider HitchIntermediate

    Forming a double line quickly

  • Yucatan KnotIntermediate

    Joining a heavier mono leader to a lighter braid or mono main line that has first been doubled with a Bimini twist or spider hitch

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