Prusik
Also: Prusik hitch, Prusik knot
Clamps a cord to the tarp ridgeline or washing line. Hang a tarp corner, lamp or bag from it.
Difficulty: Medium
Not for climbing, not for securing people and not for loads overhead.
Step 1 of 5Hold one end of the cord below the line. Step 2 of 5Wrap the cord three times around the line, to the left. Step 3 of 5Lead it across the front of the turns to the right, as the cross piece. Step 4 of 5Wrap it around three times, each time under the cross piece. Step 5 of 5Bring the end out in the middle. Join both ends with the Double fisherman's knot.
Pros
- Without load you can slide it along the line.
- Under load it grips without damaging the line.
- Wrapped evenly, it holds in both directions.
Cons
- The cord must be clearly thinner than the line.
- On a slippery or wet line it can slip.
- After a heavy pull it sits tight and is hard to undo.
Holding and untying
Grips while the cord is pulled. Without load you can loosen and slide it.
Suitable rope
An accessory cord, clearly thinner than the line. Join its ends with a double fisherman’s knot.
Common mistake
The turns lie loose or crossed. Then it grips badly and can slip.
How to check it
The same number of turns on both sides, snug together. The cord comes out in the middle, under the cross piece.
Related knots
The most useful knots for tarp, tent and line, step by step.
Open in the knot guide in the appIn the app the knot guide also works offline.