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VII Arcano

Rope work, explained and compared

Loops

A loop knot forms a fixed eye somewhere in a rope, most often at the working end, that keeps its size under load instead of tightening down like a slip knot would. The two entries here are the most widely taught loops and are usually compared against each other: one is easier to untie afterward, the other easier to check by eye before it is trusted with weight.

The 2 entries in this category

  1. LP-01

    Bowline

    A fixed end loop, nicknamed the king of knots for staying secure under load yet untying easily by hand afterward.

    Difficulty
    Blue
    Best for
    A fixed end loop
  2. LP-05

    Figure-Eight Loop

    A loop tied by tracing a figure eight, then following it back with a doubled rope. Easy to inspect by eye once dressed.

    Difficulty
    Blue
    Best for
    Harness tie-in
A fixed loop tied at the end of a rope lying on a wooden bench
A loop knot should hold its shape under load and still be recognisable at a glance before it is trusted with weight.

What belongs in this category

An entry is filed under Loops when it produces a fixed, non-tightening eye using a single rope. Knots that grip another rope by friction, such as the prusik, are filed under Hitches instead, even though both can end up looking like a loop once tied.