A Boy's Workshop: With plans and designs for in-door and out-door work

by Harry Craigin

FIG. 12. FIG. 13. FIG. 14.

THE FIVE STEPS OF THE STOPPER-KNOT.

FIG. 15.—A SHEEPSHANK, BEFORE IT IS DRAWN TIGHT.

Then pass each strand by the side of the strands in the crown down through the walling to form the “double-crown,” and cut close the ends a, b (and c), producing [Fig. 14].

A Sheepshank ([Fig. 15]) is a knot by which a rope may be made shorter, or (as a young yacht-woman of my acquaintance recently expressed it) “a tuck taken in it.” If the tide has come in and you wish to shorten the mooring-line of your boat, or if the line by which your campaign flag is suspended across the street is too loose, or your clothesline, or your swing, has sagged frightfully, the Sheepshank will gather up the slack for you and hold it firmly.