The Australian Plait or Braid, is used to form a double line or as a substitute for a Bimini Twist. This knot passes through the rod guides without catching. This is a braid or plait, formed with the end of the line that leaves a loop at the end.
To Tie an Australian Braid:
| The standing part of the line must remain tight until the knot is completed. Leave a tag end of eighteen to twenty-four inches. The size of the loop can be adjusted as required. Start by holding the bottom of the loop (or the two legs for a longer loop) in the ring and small fingers of the left hand. The tag end is gripped with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. Note that the tag end is behind the standing part at the point where they cross with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. |  |
| Cross the standing part with the tag end and bring the tag end through the loop. Continue to hold the spot where the lines cross. |  |
| Make a second pass over the standing part with the tag end and pass it through the loop. |  |
| Check your progress. You’re holding the loop (or the legs of the loop) in one hand and the tag end in the other. There are two twists created by the tag end passing around the standing part. |  |
| Pull the tag end back toward the main standing part to roll the twists in Step 3 until they lock. Use your right hand to hold this juncture. |  |
| Continue to hold the juncture of the standing part and tag end. Pass the tag end over the top leg of the loop and down through the loop. |  |
| Pull the tag end back against the beginning of the braid and lock it in place. Then pass the standing part over the other leg of the loop and pull back on the standing part to lock it against the braid. Continue this process fifteen to twenty times on each side, alternating over one leg and then the other. It’s a simple braiding process of over, under, over, under with each braid locked in place before the next one is started. |  |
| When you have completed the required number of braids, finish it off the same way you would with the Bimini Twist. Hold the legs of the loop together, pass the tag end over the legs about two inches from the braid, and back through the small loop that forms. Working toward the braid, make at least four more passes and then draw the lock knot tight by working it carefully. Remember to use pliers for the final seating. |  |
| Trim the tag end and your finished effort should match the illustration. |  |
| The Australian Plait has a variety of uses where a double line is needed, including interlocking loops. |  |
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.