How to Tie an Extended French Prusik Knot

The French Prusik Knot is most often used as a hitch in boating applications. It is rumored to have been invented in France during the 1970s, though is sited in U.S. Navy manuals from 1917. This is an important knot to have in your knot tying arsenal and can be used with other knot applications, such as leatherwork.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take two pieces of rope and tie them together in a double fisherman's knot. You will be using this application to create a hitch, so the rope will be wrapped around the anchor line or other line you are wishing to hitch to.

2. Pass the standing, or lower part, of the rope around the anchor line. The standing part of the rope is the doubled section away from the knot. Continue passing the rope around the anchor line three more times, for a total of four wraps around the anchor line.

3. Bring the two loops, or ends of the rope, together. These will be separated by the wraps. Clip them together with a carabiner, or other clip. Apply downward pressure on the hitch, placing a kink in the anchor line. This will keep the whole thing in place.

4. Practice this before using it in an actual hitching situation. You want to make sure you have the technique down before you use it to secure anything of value. While this is most used in boating applications, it can be used with leatherwork and other hobbies requiring knots.

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