West Country Whipping Knot

courtesy Animated Knots

The West Country Whipping must be the easiest whipping to teach and learn – merely a series of Half Knots completed with a Square (Reef) Knot! No equipment is required except the whipping twine and it secures the end of a rope fairly well. The final Square Knot can shake loose followed by each Half Knot.

The classic description of the West Country Whipping is completed with a Square Knot with the ends trimmed. A heavily used rope will shake this Square Knot loose. If a needle is available it is worth burying the ends by pulling them through the rope.

Flip through the slideshow to learn how to tie a West Country Whipping Knot

Pass the twine round the rope and tie a Half Knot. Repeat behind the rope and tie another. Continue making Half Knots in front and behind until the length of the whipping equals about the diameter of the rope. Finish with several Square (Reef) knots. Pull them through the rope and trim the ends.