This article was taken from the April 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Dating from the 19th century, heaving knots are used to add weight to the end of a rope. They also make your deck shoes look tidy. Here's how to tie one.
Start with a loop
Take the lace and form a bight (that's a loop, landlubbers).
Twist it round
Bring the end of the lace around the main part and the bight.
...And twist again
Make several turns to form the bulk of the heaving knot.
Feed it through
Put the end of the lace through the turn that results.
Pull it tight
Pull on both ends of the lace to tighten your heaving knot.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
