Midshipman's Hitch

Tying procedure — Midshipman's Hitch

1. Diagram in reviewA drawing of the Midshipman's Hitch itself is being made. Until then, follow the written steps.

   Step 01 / 4

   Pass the tail around the object, then take a turn around the standing part inside the loop. Go around a second time and tuck the tail in between the first turn and the line coming back from the object.

   You should now see: Two turns on the standing part inside the loop, the second crossing the first, with the tail pinned between the first turn and the line from the object.

   If it goes wrong: Laying the second turn beside the first without tucking it in. That makes a taut-line hitch: pull the tail and the turns slide along the standing part instead of jamming.

   Fix: Take the second turn off and go around again, this time tucking the tail in between the first turn and the line from the object.

   Why: The tuck is what makes this a midshipman's hitch. It jams the second turn against the first, so the turns can hold the load on their own.

   If wrong: Inside tuck missing — This is a taut-line and walks under working load.

2. Diagram in reviewA drawing of the Midshipman's Hitch itself is being made. Until then, follow the written steps.

   Step 02 / 4

   Pull the tail tight so the two turns jam together, then ease off the tail and let the loop take the load.

   You should now see: The loop stays tight with the tail released, and the turns stay where they are on the standing part.

   If it goes wrong: Turns taken outside the loop, on the side away from the object. When the loop takes load, the turns slide along the standing part instead of holding.

   Fix: Undo the turns and take them again on the object side of the standing part, inside the loop.

   Why: Pulled tight, the two turns form an awning hitch. It holds the load while you tie the last half hitch, which the taut-line version does not do.

   If wrong: Turns on the wrong side of the load — Hitch will not grip.

3. Diagram in reviewA drawing of the Midshipman's Hitch itself is being made. Until then, follow the written steps.

   Step 03 / 4

   Carry the tail past both turns and tie a half hitch around the standing part outside the loop, going round in the same direction as the turns.

   You should now see: A single half hitch on the standing part just outside the loop, snug against the two turns.

   If it goes wrong: Leaving the half hitch off, or tying it inside the loop with the turns. The tail works back out of the turns once the load eases.

   Fix: Bring the tail out past the turns, tie the half hitch around the standing part outside the loop, and snug it against the turns.

   Why: Animated Knots notes the half hitch can be reversed for an adjustable variation. The usual form carries on in the same direction as the turns.

4. Diagram in reviewA drawing of the Midshipman's Hitch itself is being made. Until then, follow the written steps.

   Step 04 / 4

   Pull the knot tight, then slide it along the standing part to set the tension you want and load the loop again.

   You should now see: With no load the hitch slides when you push it; with the loop loaded it stays put.

   If it goes wrong: Leaving it to hold tension unattended in Dyneema, Spectra or polypropylene. In those ropes the hitch can slide under a steady load.

   Fix: In slippery rope add an extra turn or a second half hitch and check it under load. For tension you will walk away from, use a fixed knot such as a trucker's hitch.

   Why: The hitch grips only while the loop pulls the turns against the standing part. That is what lets you adjust it, and why it can creep in slick fibres.

   If wrong: Used as a lock-and-leave purchase — Guy walks slack after you walk away.