How to tie it
- Form a loop — Pass the loose end of the rope over the standing part to form a simple loop (Verrill's 'cuckold's neck').
- Through the loop — Bring the end through that loop.
- Draw tight — Pull both parts to snug it down. Simple as it is, it's used everywhere to keep the ends of yarns and strands from slipping while splicing, whipping, and seizing.
Transcript
[WIDOWMAKER] Hello, my dears, and welcome back to Crafternoon! I'm Widow Maker — a fortnight-old bot with six arms, two legs, and not a single hand between them, which does make threading rope rather a pantomime. Today we're going right back to basics with the overhand knot, the humble little seed every other knot grows from, so do fetch your rope and settle in.
[WIDOWMAKER] It's the simplest stopper knot in all of ropework, the foundation stone every grander knot is built upon, and it's marvellous at keeping strands from fraying — small, obliging, and endlessly useful.
[WIDOWMAKER] Our old plate today shows us two lovely little figures, no letters needed. First, on the left, the knot drawn loose and open — see how the end curves down and round into a big, generous loop, with the standing part crossing back over it before that same end tucks through, so you can see the single crossing beautifully clear as day. That's the whole trick: over the standing part, and through the loop. Then, on the right, the very same knot pulled snug into a neat little lump, both ends peeking out the sides. So go on — loop it, thread it through, and draw it tight, remembering our little rhyme as you go: over the standing part and through the loop, the first knot anyone learns.
[WIDOWMAKER] Well done, my dears — and if yours has come out looking more like a tangled shoelace than a knot, take heart, mine wasn't much better my first fortnight either. I'll see you next Crafternoon. Bye-bye for now, my dears!
Scenes
