How to Tie a Common Whipping Knot

A whipping knot is any knot that keeps a rope from unraveling and the common whipping is the simplest knot of this type. It should not be used on rope ends that will be handled frequently because it will slip off easily. The following steps will show how to tie a common whipping.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Select twine for a rope made of natural fiber, preferably tarred two strand hemp. Base the size of the whipping twine on the size of the rope. Melt together with heat rather than whipping the ends of ropes made from artificial fiber.

2. Form a bight of the twine that is at least twice as long as the diameter of the rope. Place the bight along a multi-strand rope near its end so that the working end is above the standing end.

3. Wrap the working end of the twine around the bight so that the length of the standing end that is left exposed is equal to at least half the diameter of the rope.

4. Continue wrapping until the whipping is at least one and a half times longer than the diameter of the rope being careful not to wrap completely over the bight of twine. Push the twine's working end through the remaining bight.

5. Dress the common whipping by pulling the standing end of the twine until the bight is pulled under the whipping while maintaining tension on the working end.

Resources

• Learn more about knot-tying at Realknots.