Trilene Knot

Tying procedure — Trilene Knot

1. Step 01 / 4

   Pass the tag end through the eye, then pass it through again in the same direction, leaving a small double loop of line on the far side of the eye.

   You should now see: Two turns of line through the eye forming a small round double loop that a fingertip can fit through, with a long tag left over for wrapping.

   If it goes wrong: Pulling the double loop closed against the eye, or letting its two strands spread apart. A closed loop leaves no opening for the tag at step 3.

   Fix: Open the double loop again and keep a fingertip in it while you wrap, so both strands stay together and open.

   Why: The two passes share the contact with the eye between two strands. Animated Knots notes this helps retain line strength, especially when the eye is wider than the line.

   1Two passes through the eye

   2Tag end

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Push the tag through the eye, then through again, leaving a small double loop

   Hold: Left hand holds the hook, eye toward you. Move: Right hand feeds the tag through the eye a second time, the same way as the first.

   You should now see: Two turns of line through the eye lying side by side, a small double loop at the eye, and a long tag.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Wrap the tag end around the standing line 5 or 6 times, working up the line away from the eye.

   You should now see: An even spiral of 5 or 6 turns on the standing line above the eye, with the double loop still open below it.

   If it goes wrong: Turns that cross or pile on top of each other, seen as a bump in the spiral. It often happens when the double loop is let go and the line twists.

   Fix: Unwind to the eye, check the double loop is still open, and wrap again with light tension so each turn sits beside the last.

   Why: The turns close onto the standing line as a coil when the knot is pulled. A crossed turn presses on one spot of the line instead of sharing the grip along the coil.

   1Five turns about the standing line

   2Double loop beside the eye

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Wrap the tag round the standing line five times, working away from the eye

   Hold: Left finger and thumb pinch the double loop open at the eye. Move: Right hand turns the tag round the standing line, one even turn at a time.

   You should now see: An even spiral of five turns, with the small double loop still open between the eye and the first turn.

3. Step 03 / 4

   Bring the tag end back down to the eye and thread it through both strands of the double loop together.

   You should now see: The tag passing through the double loop beside the eye, with both strands of that loop lying around it.

   If it goes wrong: Threading the tag through only one strand of the double loop. Look closely before pulling: the tag should have two strands around it, not one.

   Fix: Pull the tag back out and thread it again through both strands at once, before putting any pull on the knot.

   Why: Passing through both strands ties the double loop and the turns together. Through one strand only, the other strand is left free and the turns can unwind under load.

   1Double loop

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Bring the tag back and pass it through the double loop beside the eye

   Hold: Left hand keeps the turns from unwinding. Move: Right hand threads the tag through the double loop, between the eye and the first turn.

   You should now see: The tag through the double loop at the eye, with both strands of that loop around it and the turns still even.

4. Step 04 / 4

   Wet the knot and pull the standing line against the hook with slow, steady pressure until the turns close on the eye. Trim the tag, leaving a stub of about 3 mm (an eighth of an inch).

   You should now see: A tight coil of turns right against the eye, the double loop snug around the eye, and a short stub of tag left standing.

   If it goes wrong: Stopping before the knot reaches the eye, or pulling hard on dry line. A gap shows between the coil and the eye, or the line looks crinkled after the pull.

   Fix: If there is a gap, wet the knot and pull again slowly. If the line is crinkled or the knot will not close, cut it off and tie it again.

   Why: Animated Knots advises against trimming the Trilene tag too short. A small stub leaves the tag room to draw in slightly as the knot settles under load without pulling out.

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Wet the knot, draw the turns down against the eye, and trim the tag

   Hold: Left hand holds the hook. Move: Right hand pulls the standing line slowly until the turns close against the eye.

   You should now see: The turns closed into a neat barrel against the eye, the double loop snug on the eye, and a short tag.