How to tie a sheetbend

Sheetbend Knot

The sheetbend is a knot used to connect two ropes or cords of different thickness. On sailing ships it is used to "bend" (meaning "to tie") a "sheet" (a rope attached to a sail) onto a rope on deck. It is useful for many other purposes, such as using a lighter rope or cord to haul up a heavier climbing rope's end from below to continue on ascent.It works best with ropes made of the same material. It can also be used on ropes of the same thickness.

Things You'll Need

• Climbing rope or thick rope
• Light gauge rope or cord

Instructions

1. 

   Starting with the thicker rope, bend the rope back to form an open loop (or "bight" in nautical terminology).

2. 

   Take the thinner rope, and begin by inserting the thin rope under the thick rope in the middle of the loop.

3. 

   Pull the thin rope up and cross over the thick rope on the right side, or over the section that has the rope end. Always cross over the rope-end section, or your knot will be weak and liable to slip.

4. 

   Pass the thin rope behind and under the thick rope's two sections.

5. 

   Pull the thin rope up and cross it under itself, and over the two sections of the thick rope. The thin rope's end will be on the same side of the knot as the thick rope's end. If not, it will be an incorrect and weak knot.

6. 

   Work the knot tight. First, pull on the thin rope's section that has the rope end, until it is snug. Then pull the thin rope's long tailing section snug. Your finished knot should appear as below.

Tips & Warnings

• This knot is designed to hold moderately tight, yet can be untied easily. The purpose is not to bear excessively heavy weight; or for long term use, but to serve as a temporary linking of lines. In climbing, a light-weight cord is used to lift climbing ropes that would be too heavy and cumbersome to carry on ascent.

• This knot serves as a temporary aid to conveyance and is not a permanent link to support the weight of climbers or any critical equipment or loads.