Sheet Bend

The Sheet Bend is a super useful knot to join two ropes of similar or different sizes, materials, and rigidities.

It’s featured as the first knot in the Ashley Book of Knots and is widely taught in the Scout program.

What makes it special? It’s easy to tie, holds well, and doesn’t jam.

Let’s check this bend in detail.

How to Tie a Sheet Bend Knot

1. Make a bight on the thicker rope.
2. Pass the working end of the thinner rope through the bight.
3. Loop it under the first rope.
4. Feed the working end through the bight.
5. Pull all ends to tighten the knot.

Sheet Bend Knot Step by Step

Want to Do It Quick? Try this Trick

This shortcut comes from ABoK #2562. It was originally used by Mrs. Thomas Knowles with yarns.

Here’s how you do it:

Make a Noose knot in the thicker rope. Slip the thinner rope through the noose. Now, pull on the running part of the thick rope while holding onto the bight of the thin one.

Like magic, the noose swallows the thinner rope and forms a Sheet Bend.

It works best when used with smaller ropes like yarns.

PRO TIP

I have seen people tie something similar and call it a Sheet Bend. 

To confirm that you’ve tied it properly, verify that the two free ends are on the same side of the bend.

If they are on the opposite side, you have tied the Left-hand Sheet Bend (ABoK #1432). 

It’ll still work, but it’s not as secure.

Pros & Cons

Applications and Uses

• Join two ropes of different sizes
• Making nets like climbing nets or cargo nets
• Used for making decorative knots
• Tying down tarps or the corners of a poncho

Sheet Bend Variations: Double, Slipped, Tucked

Double Sheet Bend

If you are working with ropes of different sizes or need more security, tie the Double Sheet Bend.

It is not the strongest, but more secure than the regular one.

To tie this bend, pass the thinner rope around the bight two times. The additional turn provides an extra grip that prevents the rope from slipping.

If you need something that is even stronger, try the Double Fisherman’s Knot.

It’s a reliable knot for joining two climbing ropes, but it is difficult to untie once loaded.

Slipped Sheet Bend (ABoK #1437)

The Slipped Sheet Bend allows you to untie the knot fast, even when the ropes are under a load.

Just pull the working end, and the knot will come apart easily.

However, I don’t recommend this knot for critical applications.

Tucked Sheet Bend (Sheet Bend One Way)

The Tucked Sheet Bend ( ABoK #1436) provides extra reliability when joining ropes that might be used for dragging the rope along the ground or towing something.

A quick note: make sure the working ends point the same way as the rope being pulled so that it is less likely to snag on an obstruction.

Knots Similar to the Sheet Bend

Weaver’s Knot 

The Weakver’s knot (ABoK #485) is closely related to the Sheet Bend. In fact, it’s just a different method of it.

It’s been traditionally used in the textile mills to join broken threads on a loom.

Nowadays, it is mostly used by weavers to join light twines and yarns together.

Becket Hitch

The Becket Hitch (ABoK #1900) is used to tie a rope to an eye splice or hook.

So, instead of joining two ropes together, the Becket Hitch connects a rope to a Becket.

Lapp Knot

The Lapp Knot is also known as the False Sheet Bend.

It can be used as a bend, loop, or binding knot for non-critical applications.

The slipped version of the Lapp Knot is exploding in nature, meaning it releases completely without any entanglement.

Quick History

The name “Sheet Bend” comes from its use of joining ropes to sails (sheets).

It is mentioned in David Steel’s book Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship (1794).

According to Wikipedia, its mentioned that it was used by the Neolithic people for tying fishing nets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use a Square Knot for a Sheet Bend?

You would be surprised how many people join the ropes using the Square Knot.

Why not just use the Square Knot? It is one of the most common questions I get.

Here’s why: the Square Knot does not simply bind the two ropes together like you’d think.

Yes, it works great for tying parcels and packages, but when you try to join the ropes, especially of different diameters, it slips apart.

On the other hand, the Sheet Bend is designed for this exact job.

Is the Sheet Bend the Same as the Bowline?

No. They aren’t the same knot.

But the Sheet Bend is related to the Bowline in structure.

You can think of it as the Bowline tied using two ropes instead of one.

One rope forms the “rabbit hole,” and the other rope acts as the “rabbit” that passes through the hole, around the tree, and back down the hole.

That said, they serve completely different purposes (one as a bend and one as a loop knot).

Which knots do you use to join ropes? Tell us in the comments below.