Monkey's Fist The origin of the Monkey's Fist knot is as a
heaving line knot used on ships of sail of yesteryear. However,
the knot is now more popular as a decorative knot and can be
found in sizes small to large: from key chains to door stopper
weights. The size of the knot is dependent on the thickness of
the rope in which it is tied and the number of turns made.
Often a spherical object such as a golf ball, marble, or tennis
ball is used in the center of the knot to help attain a more
perfect round shape and give the knot weight when used for
decoration (not for throwing - it is already more than heavy
enough with the coiled rope for throwing purposes). Alternately,
a stopper knot tie at the end of the working end and tucked
inside the knot prior to tightening works well. Both ends of the
rope can be tucked inside the knot upon completion or they can
both be left long and tied together. This knot may take several
attempts through trial and error to get a nice perfectly round
and tight fitting knot! Monke