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The Sheetbend
How to Tie It & When to Use It
The Sheetbend - also known as the Common Bend, Flag Bend or Becket Bend - is used primarily for joining ropes of different diameters.
The thicker rope must be used for the simple bight as shown. However, it works equally well if the ropes are of the same size.
It's also known as a becket bend, weaver's knot and weaver's hitch and is often used to attach a heaving line to a heavier warp such as a mooring or towing line.
The Sheetbend is not a secure knot - particularly when tied with slippery synthetic lines - and can't be trusted to join ropes or lines which will be highly tensioned.
However the Double Sheet Bend with its additional turn, is much more secure - doubly so probably.
How to Tie the Sheetbend
Stage 1
Form a bight in the thicker line;
Stage 2
Insert the thinner line into the bight from back to front;
Stage 3
Tuck the working end of the thinner line under the bight of the thicker line.
Stage 4
Now tuck the working end of the thinner line under its own standing part, to lock it against the bight of the thicker line. All that needs to be done now...
Stage 5
...is to cinch it up tight, and you have a finished Sheetbend.
How to Tie the Double Sheet Bend
Stage 1
Form a bight in the thicker line;
Stage 2
Insert the thinner line into the bight from back to front;
Stage 3
Tuck the working end of the thinner line under the bight of the thicker line.
Stage 4
Now tuck the working end of the thinner line under its own standing part and...
Stage 5
...tuck it under the bight of the thicker line for a second time;
Stage 6
Now tuck the working end of the thinner line under its own standing part, to lock it against the bight of the thicker line.
Stage 7
Cinch it up tight and you have the completed Double sheet Bend.
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