Figure-of-nine loop

The figure-of-nine loop is a type of knot to form a fixed loop in a rope. Tied in the bight, it is made similarly to a figure-of-eight loop but with an extra half-turn before finishing the knot.^[1]

Figure-of-nine loop
Names	Figure-of-nine loop, Figure-nine loop
Category	Loop
Related	Figure-eight knot, Figure-of-eight follow through, Figure-of-eight loop, Stevedore knot
Typical use	Caving

Also similar to the stevedore loop, the figure-nine loop is generally shown as being based on an intermediate form between the figure-eight knot and the stevedore knot.^[1][2] The Ashley Book of Knots shows this intermediate knot, in stopper form, as #521.^[3]

While it uses more rope and is bulkier than the figure-of-eight loop, the figure-nine loop is somewhat stronger and less likely to jam.^[1] It is sometimes used instead of a figure-of-eight loop to attach a rope to an anchor point or belay.^[2]

Tying

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Figure-of-nine knot

The knot can also be tied with the end of a rope - a single strand replaces the double strand, and therefore a naked end replaces the loop. This knot can be rearranged to form a stopper knot, in the same manner as a figure-of-eight stopper knot.

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References

1. Marbach, Georges; Bernard Tourte (2002). Alpine Caving Techniques; A Complete Guide to Safe and Efficient Caving. English edition translated and adapted by Melanie Alspaugh. Allschwil, Switzerland: Speleo Projects, Caving Publications International. p. 72. ISBN 3-908495-10-5.
2. Smith, Bruce; Allen Padgett (1996). On Rope; North American Vertical Rope Techniques (New Revised ed.). Huntsville, Ala.: National Speleological Society. pp. 46–47. ISBN 1-879961-05-9.
3. Ashley, Clifford W. (1993) [1944], The Ashley Book of Knots, New York: Doubleday, p. 85, ISBN 0-385-04025-3