Stevedore knot

As in the figure-eight, the working end first forms a loop by crossing over the standing part. Then it goes around behind the standing part – but in the stevedore twice, so two turns lie side by side. Finally the end is tucked from the front through the loop formed first.

The extra turn makes the knot longer and bulkier. Because the bends still remain fairly gentle, it doesn't jam as hard as a double overhand. So it combines two good properties: more bulk than the figure-eight and easier release than the double overhand.

A neatly tied stevedore looks like a stretched figure-eight: you can see the crossing of the loop, two turns lying tidily side by side around the standing part, and the end exiting through the first loop. The turns should not lie on top of each other or be twisted.

Dress the turns before setting, then pull on end and standing part. Leave a sufficiently long tail. A loosely left stevedore can loosen in stiff rope – so really set it firmly.

A common mistake shows up when setting: if the end was tucked through the wrong loop, the knot simply falls apart. Then start again and watch for the first loop.

The stevedore makes sense when a figure-eight is just too small as a stopper but the rope end must be untied again after loading – for instance on a line running through an eyelet, a pulley or a taut-line hitch. Anyone who knows the figure-eight learns it in a minute.

With very large openings it won't help either. Then you need a much bulkier knot or a toggle – a piece of wood lying crosswise in front of the opening. And it is only a stopper: it carries no load as a bend or loop.

A stopper only stops a rope end slipping through an opening clearly smaller than the knot. So always check the opening, not just the knot. Sharp-edged eyelets can damage the rope at the knot; where possible, choose smooth, rounded fairleads.

None of the knots in this atlas is meant for life-safety use – not for climbing, abseiling, rescue or holding and lifting people. Life-safety use only after proper training with certified equipment.

First tie a figure-eight and look at where the end goes around the standing part. Undo it and, at exactly that point, make a second round before tucking through the first loop. Then lay a figure-eight and a stevedore side by side and compare size and shape.

Set both knots firmly and then try to untie them. Do the same with a double overhand. That way you feel for yourself which stopper suits which job best.