Swing hitch is a way to tie a
swing rope
A rope is a group of yarns, Plying, plies, fibres, or strands that are plying, twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have high tensile strength and can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger ...
to a branch or other horizontal beam.
Ashley describes it in
ABOK
''The Ashley Book of Knots'' is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the American sailor and artist Clifford W. Ashley. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. The book contains 3,857 numbered en ...
as "... firm, strong, secure, and easily untied once the load has been removed."
This knot serves a similar function to the
sailor's hitch
The sailor's hitch is a secure, jam-proof hitch knot. A hitch knot is a type of knot that has the ability to fit to the size and shape of an object that it is being tied to.
The sailor's hitch is similar in function and appearance to the swing ...
.
Tying
#A
clove hitch
The clove hitch is an ancient type of knot, made of two successive single hitches tied around an object. It is most effectively used to secure a middle section of rope to an object it crosses over, such as a line on a fencepost. It can also be ...
is tied around the beam with the rope end.
#The end continues around the beam until it meets the main part.
#The end goes around the main part and then gets stuck under the first turn of the main part; preferably under the point where main part and the bridge of the clove hitch cross each other.
#*The end may be slipped for easier dismount or
#*The end may be tied to a stopper knot for more security against loosening under use.
If the place of attachment is very slippery, near the end of the beam, tapered with less diameter in the pulling direction, then one may start with more than one turn nearest the main part, effectively tying a
Gripping sailor's hitch.
If the swing is to have two parallel ropes, the standing parts both must hang from the same side of the branch, otherwise there will be forces rotating the swing seat right and left. Swing hitch reduces such forces by having the end pull the main part towards the middle of the beam and fixing it there; Using a simple clove hitch would cause more of these disturbing rotational forces.
If the swing is attached to a living tree, protecting the sap carrying live layers of the inner bark may be necessary; Suitable measures of tree protection while attaching a swing include
* Choosing a grabbing and tightly holding knot such as swing hitch rather than a loop knot such as a
bowline
The bowline () is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after being subjected to a load. The bowline is sometimes refe ...
for the swing, and thus avoiding sawing or sanding type of movements of the rope,
* Using a
cambium
A cambium (: cambiums or cambia), in plants, is a tissue layer that provides partially undifferentiated cells for plant growth. It is found in the area between xylem and phloem. A cambium can also be defined as a cellular plant tissue from whic ...
protector in between rope and tree that is soft towards the tree and slippery on the rope side, so any movement of the rope slide on the protector, and does not wear off the bark.
See also
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
References
* Jarman, Colin: ''Top Knots''; NY: Barnes & Noble (2001);
*
Clifford W. Ashley. ''
The Ashley Book of Knots
''The Ashley Book of Knots'' is an encyclopedia of knots written and illustrated by the American sailor and artist Clifford W. Ashley. First published in 1944, it was the culmination of over 11 years of work. The book contains 3,857 numbered ent ...
''. Doubleday, New York. , p. 291
{{Knots