Midshipman's Hitch

Tying procedure — Midshipman's Hitch

1. 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.

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 3

   Pass the tail round the post and bring it back beside the standing part

   Hold: Left hand holds the standing part a little way from the post

   Move: Right hand takes the tail round the far side of the post and back

2. 1First turn

   Step 1 of 4 · move 2 of 3

   Take the tail once round the standing part, inside the loop

   Hold: Left hand holds the standing part and the returning leg together

   Move: Right hand takes the tail round the standing part, over the top and down the back

3. 1Second turn crosses the first

   Step 1 of 4 · move 3 of 3

   Go round a second time, over the first turn, and tuck in between it and the leg

   Hold: Left hand pinches the first turn so it cannot unroll

   Move: Right hand takes the tail round again, over the first turn, into the gap by the leg

   You should now see: Two turns on the standing part inside the loop, the second crossing over the first and lying between it and the leg from the post.

4. 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.

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 1

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

   Hold: Left hand holds the standing part beyond the knot

   Move: Right hand pulls the tail hard, then lets it go slack

   You should now see: The loop stays tight with the tail released, and the two turns stay put on the standing part: an awning hitch.

5. 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.

   1Half hitch outside the loop

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Carry the tail past both turns and half hitch it outside the loop, the same way round

   Hold: Left hand keeps the loop loaded so the turns hold

   Move: Right hand lays the tail over both turns and takes it round the standing part, under itself

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

6. 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.

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Pull the knot tight, slide it along the standing part to set the tension, reload

   Hold: Left hand holds the standing part beyond the knot

   Move: Right hand pushes the whole hitch along the standing part, away from the post

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