TURK'S-HEAD
WOGGLE
The following is a description showing how to tie the
Turk's-head knot. This knot can make a slide or woggle for the Cub Scout uniform
neckerchief. It can be made using any rope material except for leather. A
Turk's-head knot made of leather (the Wood Badge Woggle), is reserved for Scouting Leaders
who have earned the Wood Badge. The history of this Woggle can be found at this link. This material can
be used to fulfill partial requirements for the Green
Star.
The yellow rope is to indicate the stationary end (Y) or to
indicate the first wrap, the green is to indicate a previous wrap, and the red is the
working end (X) or final wrap.
Place the braid around three fingers of the left hand,
palm up (fig 1). The working end of the braid is red (X), the stationary end is yellow
(Y). Alternatively, one can use a round pole with the desired diameter
(such as a broom handle) to build the woggle around.
Bring
working end over the stationary yellow end and around the back of the hand (fig 2).
Thread
working end over first wrap and under yellow (figs 2-3).
Turn
left hand over, palm down (fig 4).
Pull
the second green wrap over the first yellow wrap (fig 5). Hold the green wrap in position
by placing the forefinger of the left hand between the green and yellow wraps.
Thread
end X under yellow and up through the crisscross loop thus formed by yellow and green (fig
6).
Thread
end X over green and under yellow again (fig 7-8).
Turn
left hand over, palm up (fig 9). Bring end X along side of and parallel to stationary end
Y by threading the strand over green, under yellow and over green again (fig 9-10).
The
start of the second wrap is indicated in fig 10. Lay the working end on the right hand
side as you follow the yellow strand around the knot.
The
Turk's-head neckerchief slide is formed by following this strand Y around three times;
i.e., until there are three braided strands parallel to each other all around the slide
(figs 10, 11, 12). It may be necessary to go back around the knot and take in any slack.
The
beginning of the third time around is shown in fig 11. Fig 12 indicates end X near the
completion of its third time around.
It
is important to adjust the slide so that it will be neat, as well as the right size. Then,
too, it will be necessary to remove the slide from your fingers as you thread end X around
the for second and third time.
The
slide ends at the same point at which it was begun (Y). Hang a bead on each end of the
knot (secure with a figure eight knot), or slide both ends underneath a convenient strand
on the inside of the Turk's-head knot and trim. This completes the neckerchief slide.
These instructions were reproduced from the Pack 53 Website, Rapid
City, South Dakota
MONKEY'S
FIST
The Monkey's Fist is used every day by ships,
tugs and boats to carry a messenger line to a distant wharf or dock. A larger line is bent
(sailing term for tie) on to the messenger line and hauled in. With one line secured the
captain can complete the maneuver in control. To make a small version of the knot you need
a rope and a core weight such as a golf ball, marble or a round stone
Begin with three loose parallel loops around the spread
fingers of your left hand, Leave about 18 inches hanging at the beginning. We will call
this set of loops the "A loops."
Start
a forth loop, only this time, come between your little and ring fingers.
Now,
work the end of the line back between the little and ring fingers close to your palm to
"capture" the A loops. Also keep these loops loose.
Next,
pass the line over, between your ring and middle fingers, and come back through these same
fingers.
Repeat
this process going between your middle and index fingers. We will call this second set of
loops the "B loops."
Begin
a second loop between your middle and index finger. This time, however, pass the line down
along the back side of your index finger INSIDE of the A loops. (Remember to keep the
loops loose.)
Next,
bring the line back up (hand to finger tip) along the back side of your little finger,
again going INSIDE of the A loops. You should begin to be "capturing" the B
loops. These are the "C loops."
Now,
come over the top and run the line down along the PALM SIDE of your index finger, again
"capturing" the B loops but going inside the A loops. Then repeat the last step,
only going on the palm side of the little finger.
At
this point you should be able to pull your fingers out, and with a LITTLE tightening of
these first C loops start to form a ball.
You
can now make a third C loops, paralleling the second.
Start
a forth loop going back down parallel to the third loop to finish the knot tying part.
Next,
insert your weighted core into the center and start working the loops to tighten the knot.
The
Monkey's fist is traditionally finished by splicing the two ends and seizing with small
line (multiple wraps.) You can also tie a bowline in the longer end and seize the shorter
end to the bowline end in at least two places -- close to the knot and close to the
bowline.
Other great knots can be found at the Marlinspike and 42nd Brighton Scout
Group Web Sites
