How to Tie a Thief Knot

The Thief Knot was used by sailors to tie their bags. If someone tampered with their bags, they could tell because the bag would usually be retied with a square knot, which was more common but different from the Thief Knot. Follow these steps to tie a Thief Knot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One piece of synthetic rope at least 4 feet long.

1. Get a piece of synthetic rope at least 4 feet long. Hold the two ends of it in each hand.

2. Take the left end and make a loop. Hold the loop closed with your left hand. You will be holding two pieces of rope together in order to make the loop.

3. Thread the right end of rope up through the eye of the loop. Go over and around the two pieces of rope you are holding in your left hand.

4. Bring the rope in your right hand up and back down through the loop. Pull the two pieces of rope in your left hand and the two pieces of rope on your right to tighten the knot.

5. Notice the knot slips easily when you push on it. This reason is why the knot shouldn't be used to secure something.

Tips & Warnings

• This knot is good for tying children's birthday party goody bags. You can show the children how to loosen and tighten their bags.
• The Thief Knot is basically a Square Knot except the pull is diagonal.
• The main reason for learning about this knot is to avoid tying it by mistake.
• Don't use this knot for strength or to secure something--it will slip.

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