Ezelius' inverted knot

The Ezelius' inverted knot is a variation of the Ezelius adjustable hitches — slide-and-grip hitches — invented by Kasper Ezelius (born 1969, Örebro, Sweden) in 2018. Tied “backwards,” the inverted knot reverses the direction of friction: where the standard Ezelius eye hitch resists the eye becoming smaller, the inverted version resists the eye becoming larger.

This knot can also be called Ezelius' inverted hitch, Ezelius' inverted eye, Ezelius' inverted loop, Ezelius' inverted slip-and-grip knot or Ezelius' inverted friction knot.

Safety note

The inverted variant can be difficult or impossible to undo compared with the standard variant. Do not use it in applications where release is required (for example, do not place it around a person’s neck and tighten).

Tying instruction

Ezelius' inverted knot is made by making two turns and stick the end under the turns as shown in the images below. The knot is tightened by hand in order to achieve the desired friction.

Please, note that an enlargement of any of the images below can be obtained by clicking on it. To return to this page, take a step back in your browsing history.

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Step 1: Fold the stump (working end).
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Step 2: Cross the stump over the standing part.
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Step 3: Guide the stump under the standing part.
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Step 4: Bring the stump over the standing part so it forms a single turn around the standing part.
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Step 5:Continue another half turn.
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Step 6: Continue another half turn so there are two full turns around the standing part.
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Step 7: Pass the stump below the standing part that is inside the eye.
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Step 8: Feed the stump through the two turns.
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Step 9: Tighten the knot by hand to achieve the desired friction. The knot is finished now.
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Backside of finished knot.

Examples of practical use

Cable-tie replacement

In case one is missing a cable-tie, Ezelius' inverted knot can be used. By tightening the knot, one can exert some compressive force on the objects so they stay togheter. This basic principle can be used for many real world applications.

Please, observe that one can not count on being able to undo the knot. It is likely that one has to cut the cord to remove the knot.

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Hold down the hatch of a car

Here is an example where the inverted Ezelius' knot was used to hold down the latch of a car when transporting boards. One advantage is that one can adjust the compressive force to the desired level.

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How to recognize the knot

So how can the inverted Ezelius' knot be differentiated from the standard variant? As seen in the images below, the standard variant has the stump (the lose end) parallel to the eye, while the inverted variant has the stump parallel to the standing part.

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Ezelius' eye hitch: The stump is parallel to the eye.
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Ezelius' inverted eye hitch: The stump is parallel to the standing part.