Capuchin

One of several 'Heaving Line Knots', the knot pictured here is primarily used for throwing and retrieving lines, particularly in situations where accuracy and distance are essential. By tying the heaving line knot to the end of a rope, it creates a weighted projectile that can be easily thrown over a distance. This allows sailors and fishermen to quickly and accurately deliver lines between vessels and piers.

The U.S. Army Rangers refer to this particular variant of the heaving line knot as the 'Uli Knot' and is tied in detonating cord for use in demolition operations.

The three turn variant of this knot is the 'Capuchin Knot'. See the history section for further discussion.

As with a number of knots, the Capuchin Knot and Franciscan Friar's Knot names have become muddled and confused over the centuries. To compound the confusion, both knots have been called the French Monk's knot or just Monk's Knot, which is incorrect on both counts; the Franciscans are neither French nor monks but rather Italian friars.

The Capuchin Order of the Catholic Church was established in 1528 in central Italy as a reform of the Franciscan Order. 'Capuchin' comes from the Italian word 'cappuccio,' which is the word for the hood the friars wore and by which they are known.

Charles Hamel of the International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT) has extensively researched the history of these two knots and, based on his findings, we will refer to the three-turn variant of the knot shown here as the Capuchin Knot (ABOK #537), and the Triple Overhand Knot as the Franciscan Friar's Knot (ABOK #517). Both the Capuchin Knot and Franciscan Friar's Knot have three turns that represent the Franciscan vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity. In actuality, both the Franciscans and Capuchins only use the Franciscan Friar's Knot (ABOK #517) for their robe belts, as per Hamel.