How to Tie a Sheepshank Knot

The sheepshank knot is considered by climbers, boater and even construction workers to be a "life-saving" knot. It can strengthen a damaged rope, shorten a rope or serve as a way of rigging and retrieving a rope over a cliff. To tie the sheepshank knot follow these steps.

Instructions

    • 1

      Make a loop in the middle of the rope or to one side of a piece of the rope that's damaged. Make the loop so that the tail end of the loop (that part that leads to the end of the rope) goes under the loop.

    • 2

      Create two more loops. The next loop should be on the standing end of the first loop. So, if your first loop's tail end is to the lefthand end of the rope, then make your second loop on the right side of the first loop. The tail end of the second loop should cross over the loop (that is, it should move in the opposite direction of the first loop). Create a third loop in the same way next to the second loop.

    • 3

      Stack the three loops. Hold the loops so that the second loop partially overlaps the first loop and the third loop partially overlaps the second one. The result should be three partially stacked loops with the last created one on top.

    • 4

      Pull one side of the second loop through the third loop and the other side of the second loop through the first loop. The result should be a long central loop choked off by the two outer loops.

    • 5

      Pull tight and check. Once you've tied the sheepshank pull it tight and then give it a few strong tugs to make sure nothing slips or moves. The knot should be very strong and very tight to perform under load.