How to tie a monkey's fist knot with animated help

Learn how to tie a knot, but not just any old knot... a monkey's fist knot. You'll never have any troubles again tying monkey's fist knots, thanks to this Marinews animated tutorial. You can learn by simply watching the knot tying animation at a moderate speed, or if need be, click on "learn by steps" to get step-by-step rope knot instructions for monkey's fist knots.

The Monkey's Fist is most often used in the end of a line to act as a weight to assist in the lines casting as in ship to shore. It is commonly tied with a round object or a weight inside of the knot. There are a number of differing methods of tying this knot, the one shown here is by far the simplest. Once completed, it will require shaping by pounding it with a heavy object. The tag can be side spliced into the standing line and seizing used to pretty the look. The Monkey's Fist, when completed makes an excellent bulb that helps with grip.

Rope knots can basically be divided into the following groups:

1. Bends - Joining two lines by intertwining them, without splicing, or sewing.
2. Hitches - A knot that secures a rope or line to another object.
3. Stopper – Used to bind strands at the end of a rope to stop fraying or unraveling. Also formed to stop a rope slipping through a hole or to provide a weight or handhold.
4. Bindings – Much like hitches. They are used to bind either lines or objects together. Their aim is to keep objects in place.
5. Splices – Describes the act of joining the ends, or the end and a standing part, of rope by interweaving strands. They are not knots in themselves.
6. Loops – Loops create structures used to tie, or secure, another object or line to another line. They can be formed at the end or midway a length of rope.
7. Plaits - Weaving several lines together to form a pattern and a cohesive structure.
8. Miscellaneous & Decorative – Knots that have decorative, dress or multiple category characteristics.