How to Tie a D-Loop

A D-loop is a knot commonly used by archers on their bows, though there are other applications of the knot. Archers tie D-loop knots on the centers of their bow strings and use them, along with a mechanical string release, to pull back and release the string of their bows smoothly, without injuring their fingers. The knots are usually quite small, but they can be much larger for other applications.

Things You'll Need

  • 12- to 18-inch cord
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Matches or lighter
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the bow on a flat surface. Tamp down, or "mushroom out," one end of the cord with your finger so that the end becomes frayed and loose. Melt the end with the lighter or a match so that it forms a kind of hard mushroom head on the end of the cord.

    • 2

      Lay the burnt end of the cord on top of the bowstring, with the burnt end facing away from the bow. Wrap the cord underneath the bowstring, back out away from the bow and then across the top of the burnt end. Wrap the cord under the bowstring again and have the cord come up over the bowstring, parallel to the burnt end, under the perpendicular piece of cord.

    • 3

      Pull the end of the cord tight. The knot should tighten, and the burnt end of the cord should prevent the knot from slipping out.

    • 4

      Repeat the knot beside the first one, but make sure that the burnt end and the other end of the cord are on the outside of the D-loop. So whichever side of the knot the burnt end is on, tie the second knot on the opposite side of the bowstring. Tie the second knot about 1 inch away from the first, and allow only a minimal amount of string between the two. Do not leave extra length between the two knots to form the D shape.

    • 5

      Pull the extra cord to tighten up the second knot. The extra cord that you pull on should be on the outside of the D, closest to one end of the bow. Cut the extra cord about 1/8 of an inch from the knot.

    • 6

      Tamp on and mushroom out the second end, as you did the first end. Burn it so that it forms a hard mushroom shape. Insert the needle-nose pliers inside the D loop, between the cord and the bowstring. Pull the pliers apart, which will tighten the knot and form the D shape.