Overhand knot

Overhand knot
The use of two overhand knots, one used as a stopper.
Names	Overhand knot, Thumb knot
Category	Stopper
Efficiency	50%
Origin	Ancient
Related	Simple noose, Overhand loop, Figure-of-eight knot, Angler's loop, reef knot, Fisherman's knot, Water knot
Releasing	Extreme jamming
Typical use	Fishing, climbing, shoelaces, making other knots.
Caveat	Spills if the standing part is pulled forcibly in the wrong direction
Conway Notation	3
A/B notation	31

The overhand knot is one of the most fundamental knots and forms the basis of many others including the simple noose, overhand loop, angler's loop, reef knot, fisherman's knot and water knot. The overhand knot is very secure, to the point of jamming badly. It should be used if the knot is intended to be permanent. It is often used to prevent the end of a rope from unraveling.

Tying

There are a number of ways to tie the Overhand knot.

• Thumb method - create a loop and push the working end through the loop with your thumb.
• Overhand method - create a bight, by twisting the hand over at the wrist and sticking your hand in the hole, pinch the working end with your fingers and pull through the loop.

Knot theory

If the two loose ends of an overhand knot are joined together (without creating additional crossings), this becomes equivalent to the trefoil knot of mathematical knot theory.

Pentagonal overhand knot tied in flat material

Overhand knot in paper-folding

If a flat ribbon or strip is tightly folded into a flattened overhand knot, it assumes a regular pentagonal shape.

See also

• List of knots
• Trefoil knot