[Fig. 37.] The Whipped Shortening or Bend Shortening is one of the most easily made and is well adapted to heavy ropes where a shortening must be made quickly and where it is not to withstand a heavy strain.
[Fig. 38.] Three-fold Shortening is started by making an Over-hand knot and continuing to tuck the end through the loop three more times, and drawing tight.
[Fig. 39.] The Sheep-shank or Dog-shank as it is sometimes called, is one of the most widely used of all shortenings. It is made in several forms but the first form shown, while adaptable to fairly stiff ropes, will not withstand much strain. It is used for shortening electric light cords.
[Fig. 40.] Sheep-shank for free end rope is similar to the plain Sheep-shank except the free end of the rope is passed through the loop. This makes a secure shortening, but it can not be used where the ends of the rope are not free.
[Fig. 41.] A Sheep-shank with toggle, is a plain Sheep-shank with the toggle inserted as shown, and makes the shortening as secure as that shown in [Fig. 38]. It is also easily untied.