Bight (knot)

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An open loop of rope. Sources differ on whether this is a bight.

In knot tying, a bight is a curved section or slack part between the two ends of a rope, string, or yarn.[1] A knot that can be tied using only the bight of a rope, without access to the ends, is described as in the bight. The term "bight" is also used in a more specific way when describing Turk's head knots, indicating how many repetitions of braiding are made in the circuit of a given knot.[2]

Bight vs. open loop[]

Sources differ on whether an open loop or U-shaped curve in a rope qualifies as a bight. Ashley (1944) treats bights and loops as distinct, stating that a curve "no narrower than a semicircle" is a bight,[3] while an open loop is a curve "narrower than a bight but with separated ends".[4] However, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knots (2002) states: "Any section of line that is bent into a U-shape is a bight."[5]

Slipped knot[]

Not to be confused with slip knot.

In order to make a slipped knot (also slipped loop and quick release knot), a bight must be passed, rather than the end. This slipped form of the knot is more easily untied. The traditional bow knot used for tying shoelaces is simply a reef knot with the final overhand knot made with two bights instead of the ends. Similarly, a slippery hitch is a slipped clove hitch.[citation needed]

In the bight[]

The phrase in the bight (or on a bight) means a bight of line is itself being used to make a knot. Specifically this means that the knot can be formed without access to the ends of the rope.[6] This can be an important property for knots to be used in situations where the ends of the rope are inaccessible, such as forming a fixed loop in the middle of a long climbing rope.[citation needed]

Many knots normally tied with an end also have a form which is tied in the bight (for example, the bowline and the bowline on a bight). In other cases, a knot being tied in the bight is a matter of the method of tying rather than a difference in the completed form of the knot. For example, the clove hitch can be made "in the bight" if it is being slipped over the end of a post but not if being cast onto a closed ring, which requires access to an end of the rope. Other knots, such as the overhand knot, cannot be tied in the bight without changing their final form.[citation needed]

Examples[]

Bight examples
  • Sheet Bend

    The blue rope (right) is half-hitched through and around a bight of the red rope (left) in this sheet bend.

  • Slipped buntline hitch

    The final tuck of this slipped buntline hitch is made with a bight rather than the end, making it easier to release after tightening.

  • Marlinespike hitch

    In the tying of a marlinespike hitch, a bight of the standing part is snagged through the loop.

  • Turk's head 3 lead 10 bight doubled

    The bights, in the case of this 3-lead 10-bight Turk's head knot, are the scallops along the perimeter of the knot.

  • Alpine butterfly loop

    The alpine butterfly knot is a climbing knot which is tied in the bight and forms a reliable fixed loop.

  • Bowline on a bight

    The bowline on a bight forms two fixed loops in the middle of a rope.

  • Overhand loop

    An overhand knot tied in the bight results in an overhand loop.

  • Figure eight loop

    A figure-eight knot tied in the bight results in a figure-eight loop.

References[]

  1. ^ Ashley (1944), p. 59. "Any slack part of a rope between the two ends, particularly when curved or looped."
  2. ^ Ashley (1944), p. 232
  3. ^ Ashley (1944), p. 13, #30
  4. ^ Ashley (1944), p. 13, #31
  5. ^ Budworth (2002), p. 18
  6. ^ Ashley (1944), p. 207

Bibliography[]

  • Ashley, Clifford W. (1944). The Ashley Book of Knots. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 9780385040259.
  • Budworth, Geoffrey (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Knots. ISBN 9781585746262.

External links[]

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