How to Tie a Sailor's Figure Eight Knot

A figure eight or stopper knot is one of the most commonly used knots in the boating world. Boaters (especially sailors) use the stopper knot on the bitter end of any line to prevent it from slipping through a cleat or pulley. The knot gets its name from how it is tied--it looks exactly like the number 8.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rope

1. Establish which is the bitter end of the line. The bitter end is the dangling end; in other words, it is the end of line that you are using.

2. Take the bitter end and make a loop from right to left, with the bitter end crossing over the standing line. The bitter end should be on the left of the standing line.

3. Loop the bitter under the standing line, from left to right. It should look like a number 8. The bitter end should be on the right of the standing line.

4. Pull the bitter over the "X" between the first and second loops and pull it though the first loop. The bitter end should go below the line that forms the loop. Pull the knot tight.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you leave enough line to tie the knot.
• Make sure you follow the pattern over, under, over.

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