66 © 1999, Gerald L. Findley TAUT-LINE HITCH: rolling hitch Description —— Two half hitches with an extra turn. ---- half hitch Use —— To adjust the tension on guy lines. standing ----- running part part ----- ---- turns Comments —— The tension is adjusted by slid- ing the knot along the standing part of the rope. When tied around an object other then its own standing part ---- rolling hitch, magnus hitch. midshipman’s hitch grasp slide knot standing part half hitch----- standing To decrease the tension on a guy line, part -------- grasp the standing part just out side the loop, ---- running part ----- then slid the knot away from your hand. second turn grasp When tied so that the second turn is be- standing part tween the first turn and the standing part ---- midshipman’s hitch (see direction for midshipman’s hitch). adjustable jam hitch half hitch ------- standing part ---- slide knot turns ----- running part ------- Other Names —— There are several other names that are used interchangeable for the taut-line hitch and several related knots. The When tied with the two turns outside the loop midshipman’s hitch, rolling hitch, and magnus and the half hitch inside the loop ---- adjustable hitch. The following seems to be the most com- jam hitch. mon usage of these name: Use --- To tie-up a bundle so that the knot can be tightened by sliding the knot toward the bundle When tied around its own standing part --- and loosened by sliding the knot away from -taut line hitch. the bundle. © 1999, Gerald L. Findley 67 ---------------------------------------- + + 6. TAUT-LINE HITCH pull tight 1. <------ standing part bight - 7. running part 2. bight 8. <------ eye bight 3. half hitch pull tight eye 9. <------ nd - 2 half hitch 4. 10. 2nd pull-----> tight turn 5. eye + + ---------------------------------------- 68 © 1999, Gerald L. Findley Narrative ---- (For taut-line hitch knotboard.) (1) Take a bight around the pole. (2) Take a bight MIDSHIPMAN'S HITCH: around the standing part. (3) (The eye of the bight becomes the eye of the taut-line hitch) Description ---- Two half hitches with an over- Pass the running part through the eye of the lapping extra turn. aut-line hitch (between standing part and the Use ---- To adjust the tension on a guy line when pole) this forms a half hitch around the stand- very smooth rope is being used. ing part; pull tight (4) Take a second bight Comments ---- The midshipman's hitch is harder around the standing part in the same direction; to adjust then the taut-ine hitch, therefor it is (5) this results in two complete turns around the ideal knot for adjusting the tension on syn- the standing part. (6) Pull tight. (7) Go to the thetic rope guy lines. outside of the loop. (8) Take another bight around the standing part; pass the running part between itself and the first half hitch, (9) this Narrative ---- forms the second half hitch, (10) Pull tight. (1) After taking a bight around an object, take a turn around the standing part so that the turn is inside the loop. [NOTES] 1. (2) Take a second standing turn around the part--- standing part so that the run- ning end crosses the turn ---- first turn and is between the first turn and 2. the beginning of the knot. second ---- (3) Pull the second turn - turn tight to lock it in place. 3. (4) Take a half pull hitch around tight the standing to part so that it is lock 4. half outside the hitch loop. (5) Opposite side. 5..