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KA

Diagram

Figure-8 Stopper

Figure eight stopper · Flemish stopper

Stopper in the end so the rope cannot pull through a block or fairlead. Not a working knot.

Stopper · Beginner · Polyester / Nylon rope / Polypropylene / Natural fibre / Dyneema / HMPE · 4 steps

ApplicationsHow to tie it
Figure-8 Stopper, finishedFigure-8 Stopper, finished

Finished structure

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

  1. Lay the tail over the standing part to make a small loopNear the end of the rope, the tail is laid over the standing part to make a small loop, and hangs down past it.
    1Small loop
    2Standing part
    Move 1 of 1Lay the tail over the standing part to make a small loopYou should now see: A small loop near the end of the rope, with the tail crossing on top of the standing part.

    Step 01

    Make a loop near the end of the line with the working end crossing over the standing part, then take the working end around behind the standing part.

    You should now see

    A loop with the working end lying over the standing part and then wrapped around behind it, pointing back toward the loop.

    If it goes wrong

    Skipping the pass behind the standing part and going straight through the loop. That makes an overhand knot, which is smaller and can jam hard.

    Fix: Pull the end back out and take it around behind the standing part before it goes anywhere near the loop.

    Why: The wrap behind the standing part is the difference between an eight and an overhand. Animated Knots notes the eight does not bind as badly after being pulled hard against something, so it is easier to untie.

  2. Take the tail round the outside of the loop and behind the standing partThe tail goes down and round the outside of the loop, then up and behind the standing part above it.
    1Behind the standing part
    Move 1 of 2Take the tail round the outside of the loop and behind the standing part
    Bring the tail down through the small loop from the frontThe tail comes round in front of the standing part and goes down through the small loop, completing the figure-eight.
    1Down through the loop
    Move 2 of 2Bring the tail down through the small loop from the frontYou should now see: A loose figure-eight: the tail round behind the standing part and down through the small loop.

    Step 02

    Bring the working end back over the front and down through the loop, then pull the tail and the standing part just enough to close it loosely.

    You should now see

    A loose knot that clearly shows the figure-eight shape, with the tail coming out through the loop.

    If it goes wrong

    Yanking the tail tight straight away. A wrong pass gets locked in before you can see it, and the knot comes out as a lump instead of a clear eight.

    Fix: Loosen it while it is still soft, trace its path against an eight, and correct the pass before setting it.

    Why: A loosely closed knot shows its shape. A mistake is easier to spot now than after the stopper has been pulled against a block.

  3. Pull the tail and the standing part to draw the eight up compactPulled from both ends, the loops of the figure-eight close up into a compact, even knot near the end of the rope.
    Move 1 of 1Pull the tail and the standing part to draw the eight up compactYou should now see: A compact figure-eight with no loose loops, bigger than the block or fairlead it has to stop at.

    Step 03

    Pull the standing part and tail together to set the knot, working the crossings flat, and hold it against the block or fairlead it has to stop at.

    You should now see

    A compact eight with flat crossings, clearly larger than the opening in the block or fairlead.

    If it goes wrong

    A stopper too small for the opening, or set so loosely it can squeeze through. If it starts to enter the hole when you press it in, it will pull through under load.

    Fix: Untie it and use a larger stopper knot for that fitting. In thin line, a figure-eight can be too small for a large fairlead.

    Why: The knot only works if it is bigger than the hole once it is set. Working the crossings flat keeps it compact but does not make it bigger, so size comes from the line diameter and the knot you choose.

  4. Leave a short tail beyond the knotThe finished figure-eight stopper: a compact eight near the end of the rope, with a short tail.
    Move 1 of 1Leave a short tail beyond the knotYou should now see: A compact figure-eight with a short tail, sitting where it stops the rope at the block.

    Step 04

    Leave a tail at least a hand's length beyond the knot, and use the knot only to stop the line running out through the fitting.

    You should now see

    A set eight at the end of the line with a tail about a hand's length or more, sitting where it will meet the block.

    If it goes wrong

    Trimming the tail short, or using a stopper to hold two ropes together. A short tail can let the knot capsize or shake out on a flogging line.

    Fix: Retie with more tail. To join two ropes, use a bend made for it, such as a sheet bend.

    Why: A stopper is shaped to jam against a fitting, not to carry load between two ropes. A tail much longer than needed only leaves loose rope flapping.

Failure modes

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

Stopper family

Bulk at the tail, larger than the opening — not a join.

  • !Body smaller than the block or fairlead after dress
  • !Asked to join two ropes
  • !Figure-8 used in HMPE where Estar extra turns were the stopper, or Ashley left as a two-lobe overhand
Fails when
  • !The set knot is smaller than the opening in the block or fairlead, so it pulls through under load
  • !It is set loosely enough to squeeze into the opening
  • !The tail is shorter than a hand's length, so the knot capsizes or shakes out on a flogging line
  • !It is left unchecked on a working line. Animated Knots notes a figure-eight can occasionally come undone.
Geometry

  • Overhand instead of a figure-eight

    Jammier stopper, harder to inspect

    The eight is the hitch · step 01

  • Undersized or loose eight

    Pulls through the block

    Size after dress is the job · step 03

  • Asked to join two ropes

    A stopper is not a bend

    Pick a sheet bend or Zeppelin if you needed a join · step 04

If you saw this

  • Stopper pulls through the block

    Check

    • ?Compact eight larger than the opening

    Then

    • →Retie larger
    • →Do not substitute an unfinished overhand on a running sheet

  • Overhand instead of a figure-eight

    Check

    • ?Jammier stopper, harder to inspect
    • ?Inspect step 01

    Then

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

  • Undersized or loose eight

    Check

    • ?Pulls through the block
    • ?Inspect step 03

    Then

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

  • Asked to join two ropes

    Check

    • ?A stopper is not a bend
    • ?Inspect step 04

    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

Not ideal for

  • ×Any load-bearing join
  • ×A stopper that must be tiny (use an overhand, knowing it jams harder)

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