In today’s Knot of the Week, we’ll be showing you how to use common seizing to join two parallel pieces of rope.
Seizing can be a great alternative to knotting or splicing, but is not as strong as a dedicated splice. For instance, in the article demonstration we’ll be creating an eye with our seizing. While a good method, it’s nowhere near as strong as a splice.
Terminology can get a bit tricky as this appears to be a lashing, but lashings are typically defined as the joining or binding of timbers. While seizing even starts the same way as a lashing, with a Clove Hitch, they’re technically different.
Another nugget of terminology here is that the last turns through the center of this seizing are referred to as Frapping.
Common Seizing » Lashings
(Strength: 3/Secure: 2/Stability: 2/Difficulty: 3)
Please refer to our Knot of the Week introduction post for a description of what these ratings mean.Uses:
- Joining two parallel sections of rope
- Technique carries over to Lashings as well
Tying Instructions:
- Create a closed loop and bind the two sections of rope with a Clove Hitch (a constrictor knot can also be used).
- With the working end, make a series of tightly wrapped turns below the Clove Hitch (at least 12 turns).
- On the last turn, just wrap around one section of rope and bring the working end up between the two sections of rope.
- Tuck down through the loop with the working end creating a frapping.
- Do this once more to create two frapping turns.
- Tuck the working end through the right-most frapping turn.
- Cross over the frapping turns, making a loop before tucking through the left-most frapping turn.
- Pull the working end tight, creating a Square Knot in the seizing.
- Trim the excess as needed and fuse.
