Rolling hitch
Encyclopedia
The rolling hitch is a knot
used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or other rope. A simple friction hitch
, it is used for lengthwise pull along an object rather than at right angles. The rolling hitch is designed to resist lengthwise movement for only a single direction of pull.
A common usage while sailing
is for rigging a stopper to relax the tension on a sheet
so that a jammed winch
or block
can be cleared.
In the late 18th Century the knot now known as the "rolling hitch" was called the Magnus or Magner's hitch, and the name rolling hitch referred to two round turns and two half hitches
. In 1841 Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
used the present-day names in his work The Seaman's Friend, and subsequent authors have continued to use this terminology.
There are two slightly different hitches commonly known by the name of "rolling hitch". The Ashley Book of Knots
identifies these two variations as "Rolling Hitch(1)" and "Rolling Hitch(2)" and numbers them #1734 and #1735, respectively. Despite the potential for confusion with the older usage, Ashley chose the name "Magnus Hitch" to refer to knot #1736, which is simply #1734 tied with the final hitch made in the opposite direction. Since two distinct variations of the rolling hitch are widely referred to by the same name, and Magnus hitch now may refer to a different knot than it used to, the use of Ashley reference numbers for these related hitches can eliminate ambiguity when required. These hitches are pictured at the right.
Although some sources fail to differentiate by using a separate name, when a rolling hitch or Magnus hitch is tied around the standing part of the rope to form an adjustable loop it is often referred to as a taut-line hitch
or one of several other names.
with an extra initial turn.
Though effective for moderate loads, the rolling hitch cannot be depended on to hold fast under all conditions. Using stiff and slippery modern fiber ropes, the rolling hitch may be difficult to make hold at all. Friction hitches with additional wraps and more complex structure may provide more security.
Knot
A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...
used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or other rope. A simple friction hitch
Friction hitch
A friction hitch is a kind of knot used to attach one rope to another in a way that is easily adjusted. These knots are commonly used in Single Rope Technique while climbing to ascend a hanging rope by alternately hanging on one friction hitch and sliding the other up...
, it is used for lengthwise pull along an object rather than at right angles. The rolling hitch is designed to resist lengthwise movement for only a single direction of pull.
A common usage while sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
is for rigging a stopper to relax the tension on a sheet
Sheet (sailing)
In sailing, a sheet is a line used to control the movable corner of a sail.- Fore-and-aft rigs:Fore-and-aft rigs comprise the vast majority of sailing vessels in use today, including effectively all dinghies and yachts. The sheet on a fore-and-aft sail controls the angle of the sail to the wind,...
so that a jammed winch
Winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
or block
Block (sailing)
In sailing, a block is a single or multiple pulley. One or a number of sheaves are enclosed in an assembly between cheeks or chocks. In use a block is fixed to the end of a line, to a spar or to a surface...
can be cleared.
Naming
Round turn and two half-hitches
The round turn and two half hitches is a hitch used to secure the end of a rope to a fixed object. The name refers to the components used to form the knot: a round turn wraps the rope around the object and the two half hitches secure the end around the standing part...
. In 1841 Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts, a descendant of an eminent colonial family who gained renown as the author of the American classic, the memoir Two Years Before the Mast...
used the present-day names in his work The Seaman's Friend, and subsequent authors have continued to use this terminology.
There are two slightly different hitches commonly known by the name of "rolling hitch". The Ashley Book of Knots
The Ashley Book of Knots
The Ashley Book of Knots is an encyclopedia of knots first published in 1944 by Clifford Warren Ashley. The culmination of over 11 years of work, it contains some 7000 illustrations and more than 3854 entries covering over 2000 different knots. The entries include instructions, uses, and for some...
identifies these two variations as "Rolling Hitch(1)" and "Rolling Hitch(2)" and numbers them #1734 and #1735, respectively. Despite the potential for confusion with the older usage, Ashley chose the name "Magnus Hitch" to refer to knot #1736, which is simply #1734 tied with the final hitch made in the opposite direction. Since two distinct variations of the rolling hitch are widely referred to by the same name, and Magnus hitch now may refer to a different knot than it used to, the use of Ashley reference numbers for these related hitches can eliminate ambiguity when required. These hitches are pictured at the right.
Although some sources fail to differentiate by using a separate name, when a rolling hitch or Magnus hitch is tied around the standing part of the rope to form an adjustable loop it is often referred to as a taut-line hitch
Taut-line hitch
The taut-line hitch is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension. It is made by tying a rolling hitch around the standing part after passing around an anchor object...
or one of several other names.
Rolling Hitch(1) #1734
This version is preferred when attaching a rope to pole or rod. It is effectively a clove hitchClove hitch
A clove hitch is a type of knot. Along with the bowline and the sheet bend, it is often considered one of the most essential knots. A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. It is most effectively used as a crossing knot. It can be used as a binding knot, but is not...
with an extra initial turn.
- Start with a turn around the object. Bring the working end towards the direction of pull and between the standing part and the object.
- Make another wrap around the object, completing a round turn. The wraps of the round turn should progress towards the desired direction of pull. Bring the working end out over the standing part away from the direction of pull.
- Complete with a half hitch, moving around the object in the same direction as the first turns, as for a clove hitch.
- Dress by snugging the hitch around the object before applying load.
Rolling Hitch(2) #1735
This version is preferred when attaching rope to another rope. The first two turns create an awning hitch − a temporary hitch used by riggers when adjusting tent lines. These first two turns are merely a subtle rearrangement in the position of the turns of #1734.- Begin by making a turn around the object, bringing the working end back between the object and the standing part. Cross over the standing part away from the desired direction of pull.
- Make a second turn that exactly follows the first, and hence also passes between the object and standing part and then crosses over the standing part, away from the direction of pull. Make sure the second turn "tucks" between the first turn and the standing part; that is what gives this version extra grip when made around another rope.
- Finish with a half hitch, moving around the object in the same direction as the first turns, as for a clove hitch.
- Dress by snugging the hitch around the object before applying load.
Magnus Hitch #1736
This is tied exactly as #1734, but with the final hitch in the opposite direction. It can be more tricky to snug-up, since both lines emerge from the same side of the hitch, but it has less tendency to twist under load.- Start with a turn around the object. Bring the working end towards the direction of pull and between the standing part and the object.
- Make another wrap around the object, completing a round turn. The wraps of the round turn should progress towards the desired direction of pull. Bring the working end out over the standing part away from the direction of pull.
- Complete with a half hitch, moving around the object in the opposite direction as the first turns, as for a cow hitchCow hitchThe cow hitch is a hitch knot used to attach a rope to an object. The cow hitch comprises a pair of half-hitches tied in opposing directions, as compared to the clove hitch in which the half-hitches are tied in the same direction. It has several variations and is known under a variety of names...
. - Dress by snugging the hitch around the object before applying load.
Security
The load should always be applied from the side with the two turns. Ensure the hitch is very snug before applying any strain, else it will not tighten further under load. When hitching to another rope, Ashley and other sources suggest #1735 is more secure. Ashley also states that #1736 has less tendency to twist.Though effective for moderate loads, the rolling hitch cannot be depended on to hold fast under all conditions. Using stiff and slippery modern fiber ropes, the rolling hitch may be difficult to make hold at all. Friction hitches with additional wraps and more complex structure may provide more security.
See also
- Taut-line hitchTaut-line hitchThe taut-line hitch is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension. It is made by tying a rolling hitch around the standing part after passing around an anchor object...
: Closely related adjustable hitch - Adjustable grip hitchAdjustable grip hitchThe adjustable grip hitch is a simple and useful friction hitch which may easily be shifted up and down the rope while slack. It will hold fast when loaded, but slip when shock loaded until tension is relieved enough for it to again hold fast....
: Another related hitch - Midshipman's hitch: Secure taut-line hitch
- Icicle hitchIcicle hitchAn icicle hitch is a knot that is excellent for connecting to a post when weight is applied to an end running parallel to the post in a specific direction. This type of hitch will hold its place even when holding a substantial load on a smooth surface...
: More complex and effective friction hitch - The Ashley Book of KnotsThe Ashley Book of KnotsThe Ashley Book of Knots is an encyclopedia of knots first published in 1944 by Clifford Warren Ashley. The culmination of over 11 years of work, it contains some 7000 illustrations and more than 3854 entries covering over 2000 different knots. The entries include instructions, uses, and for some...
: Knot reference work - List of hitch knots
- List of knots