The Double Running Bowline Knot is used in the Rope Tree Swing project to hang the tree swing from a high branch that can’t be reached by a ladder. The Double Running Bowline is durable, strong and won’t strangle the branch as the tree grows.
The rope used in this example is 5/8 inch diameter braided polypropylene.
Double Running Bowline Knot Tying Instructions
Step 1 – Begin by making a double loop.
Double Bowline Knot - Step 1
Step 2 – Tuck the working end of the rope under (red square) and through the two loops.
Double Bowline Knot - Step 2
Step 3 – Wrap the working around the standing part of the rope and down into the double loops.
Double Bowline Knot - Step 3
Step 4 – Working end tucked into the hole formed by the double loops.
Double Bowline Knot - Step 4
Step 5 – Pull on both ends to draw the knot tight leaving a small (~6 inch) loop at the bottom.
Double Bowline Knot - Step 5
This is how the knot should look when draw tight and properly dressed. “Dressed” means the rope lays correctly in the knot without extra crossings or kinks.
Double Bowline Knot - Front
View of the opposite side of the knot:
Double Bowline Knot - Back Side
Running Bowline Knot over a Tree Limb
The next photo illustrates how the Running Bowline Knot loops around a tree limb for a rope tree swing. After throwing the rope over the tree limb, the standing part of the rope is tucked through the loop of the Bowline knot. The knot slides up snug (purple arrow) around the tree limb as the rope is pulled from the ground (red arrow).
Leave a generous pigtail (loose end of rope on right) as shown for security and to visually inspect the knot is OK from the ground.
Double Running Bowline Knot - Tree Limb
Take care,
Bob Jackson
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Finding this was a sort of web miracle, since we have been waiting around to buy or borrow a tall ladder, and then I thought there MUST be sone way to do this by just throwing up the rope, and here you have it. Johan, age 7 thanks you and so do my wife and I