How to Tie a Blackwall Hitch

A Blackwall hitch is used to attach a rope to a hook of equal size. It is a non-jamming hitch described in diagram No. 1875 of Ashley’s Book of Knots. The Blackwall hitch is closely related to the half-hitch. The following steps will show how to tie a Blackwall hitch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Assume the hook of a tackle is suspended in the air with the point facing towards you. Pass the working end of the rope around the shank of the hook and pull it back to the front.
2. Push the working end under the standing end so that the working end will be jammed between the standing end and the back of the hook when a load is placed on the rope.
3. Tie a Blackwall hitch in the bight if you do not have access to either end of the rope. Form a bight of rope and slip it around the hook so that the length of rope on the bottom of the bight will be jammed as in Step 2.
4. Use the Blackwall hitch only for non-critical applications involving a light load. It has a tendency to slip when subjected to heavy loading.
5. Make a double Blackwall hitch for greater security. Pass the working end over the hook and around the shank. Continue wrapping the rope up the shank of the hook until a full turn is completed at the top of the shank.
6. Pass the rope through the link attaching the hook to the tackle and make another complete turn down the shank of the hook. Push the rope under the turns made in Step 5 and complete the double Blackwall hitch by jamming the working end between the standing end and side of the hook.