The ligature knot is used to join two lines of identical size and type. The number of tucks or turns given to this knot will vary with the sort of line in which it is tied – there will be fewer in thicker, stiffer stuff. The pictures shown below are therefore, only one instance of how the knot might appear.
To Tie a Ligature Knot:
Cross both working ends and tuck each one around the adjacent standing part of its partner (figure 1). Tuck both working ends similarly a second time – and as many times after that as required (the optimum number for maximum strength is said by some to be seven) – in this example twining left-handed or anti (counter)-clockwise (figure 2).
Then cross the working ends again in exactly the same way (in the illustrations, left over right) and take one tuck with each (figure 3). continue to tuck (figure 4) until the upper row of the twists matches those in the lower row (figure 5), both in number and direction, and begin to tighten the knot by pulling a bit at a time on each one of the two working ends and two standing parts in turn.
At this stage the knot will start to twist (figure 6). Allow it to do so; indeed, continue tightening until the knot is twined an twisted as compactly as possible (figure 7).
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.