Turk's Head Knot - on a cylinder and spherical

How to tie a Turk's Head Knot - from http://www.SelfMadeSailor.com - A decorative knot used to cover a cylindrical object, or it can be worked into a tight ball or sphere.

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Howto & Style

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• knots
• sailing
• boating
• cruising
• sailor
• knot
• nautical
• boyscout
• rope
• hitch
• turk's
• head
• turk
• whipping
• selfmade

[KatimaKid2010]

that is very cool, thank you for making that tutorial, but for future reference the sphere is called a monkeys fist and it's illegal in canada and possibly in other places also, to make one

thanks though, i may try and make one to wear on my wrist now

[selfmadesailor]

@KatimaKid2010 - thanks for watching... The round/spherical version is still a Turk's Head and is entirely different from a monkey's fist... we've actually got a seperate vid just for the Monkey's Fist (do a search for it - we're the 4th from the top) - you'll see that is isn't even close to the same knot. And of course it isn't illegal to tie!

[selfmadesailor]

@KatimaKid2010 From what I understand, this knot was sometimes used as a weapon by sailors in the wild days of olde (1800s). In order to control the sailors, it became an "offense under the criminal code of Canada to tie or possess one when not within throwing distance of a dock or harbour." wikipedia.

That does not make the knot illegal, but does control the circumstances in which it can be used. If someone else has further details, I'd be happy to know them. Angi.

[2022e55]

What is the kind/name of knot that you have between the two turks head knots on the other dowel?I've been wanting to wrap some of my friends steering wheels for their cars with an intricate design!

[selfmadesailor]

@2022e55,

Thanks for watching and commenting... The portion between the two turk's heads is called "French Hitching". It is just a series of half-hitches, each one pulled tight. It does make a great steering wheel (on a boat at least!) coving if done with fairly thin cord. In the example in the video the turks head knots and the french hitching are all done with one contiguous strand of nylon cord, so there isn't any wasted line either.

[CHUNKYCUACAMOLE]

what length do you recommend to make bracelets?

[selfmadesailor]

Hi Chunkycuacamole. The best way to estimate is to take the rope you're using, decide on how many turns you want (how many strands will be laying next to each other - this video shows 2), and multiply by 3. Then wind that number of turns LOOSELY around your hand in a bit larger a diameter than the final of the bracelet and add an extra turn for some leeway. So, if you are using light rope and want 4 full turns, you'll need 4x3=12 turns around your hand plus one or two more just to be safe.

[Raidenster]

You just made my day.

[K8Nicole]

I love the bird in the background.

[paintballhead03]

wow man yours is the easist to understand! i thought this was so hard because of other people not explaining it well! thanks so much! this is def going into my favs

[mrheadagainstwall]

@k9r100 for scouting.

[SherryChid]

xsquidnvy@hotmail.com I actually served aboard ship in the U.S. Navy from 1992 to 1996 and we used the Monkey's fist to actually give weight to a throwing line during transfer procedures (either human or cargo) between two underway vessels.

[k9r100]

i am just wondering one thing. in what way is this useful?

[anosha1A1kobohni]

how can u mk da bracelet wid diff colours how do tie it multicoloured?

[donunicycle]

Thanks for posting this.I love the simplicity of this one. I have made a few finger rings with single windings already, and have tried a few double and triple winds. Very easy, very nice. Thanks again.

[9mkcool]

@selfmadesailor actually Monkey's Fist it 's illegal in canada, it is an offense under the criminal code.