How to Make a Monkey Fist

Last Updated: June 19, 2022 Approved

The monkey fist is a type of knot that can be used as a decorative knot or as a weight at the end of a rope. Getting the hang of successfully tying the monkey knot comes with practice and patience. Go slowly and stay patient.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tying a Standard Three Loop Monkey Fist

1
Hold the rope correctly. Place the rope over the edge of your open left hand. The short tail should be over the front of your hand. The rest of the rope should be behind your hand.
- The long portion of your rope is the working end. This is the portion you will use to create the knot.
2
Wrap the rope vertically. Grab the long tail, or working end, and wrap it around your fingers three times. ^{[1]
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- Start the first wrap on the area of your fingers closest to your palm. Each successive wrap should be closer to the tips of your fingers.
- Try wrapping the paracord around your first three fingers, or even just your first two to make it easier.^{[2]
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3
Slide the coiled rope off your hand. Be sure that you maintain the orientation. Keep this same hand positioned so the loops hold.
- With your free hand remove the rope from the hand you wrapped it around, keeping the first set of turns in place.
- Keep the first three turns intact by pinching the rope together with your forefinger and thumb.
- You can also keep the rope on your hand if you wish and thread the next horizontal loops through your finger. ^{[3]
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4
Wrap the rope horizontally. Grab the long tail and wrap it perpendicularly around the three vertical loops just created. Do this three times. Each subsequent horizontal strand should be above the last. When done, you should have three turns of rope looped vertically and cinched loosely by three horizontal wraps.
- Do not pull tight, these wraps need to be loose.
- Finish the horizontal turns by creating a loop, with the remainder of the rope, going through the three vertical strands. Here, you’re taking your final turn and passing through the middle, not the outside.^{[4]
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5
Make three more vertical turns. Again grab the long tail and wrap it around the three newest horizontal strands. Pass the rope through the opening. Go over the horizontal wraps but between your first three vertical loops. Continue with this motion three times.
- Weave the rope through the top and out the bottom.
- You should notice the monkey fist shape coming into place.
6
Insert a marble. To add an extra weight to your monkey knot, add a small marble to its center. This is an optional step, but it is recommended for a sturdy monkey knot.
- Any small spherical object will work. But a marble is easiest to work with.
7
Tighten the Monkey’s fist. Spend a few minutes gently tugging each loop to tighten your knot. Start with the first loop you cast and end with the last.
- You have to cinch the slack by tightening each loop in the order in which you created it. Start with the vertical loops, then the horizontal loops, then the last set of vertical loops.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Monkey's Fist Keychain

1
Create the monkey fist. First you’ll need to construct a standard monkey's fist with three strands.
- Leave enough slack on the tail to create the additional hangman's noose for the keyring.
- Make sure you also have a keyring for your keychain.
2
Create a hangman’s noose using the other side of the paracord opposite your monkey fist. Create an even "S" shape with the remainder of the slack.
- Now wrap the monkey fist around the S-shaped portion of rope three times, Like you would when making a monkey's fist.
3
Place the monkey fist through the loop’s opening, the hole in the noose. Take the loose strand and wrap it three times around, moving up towards the hole.
- Super glue the wraps to keep a firm hold.
- Cut off any excess rope.
4
Weave a keychain into your paracord. Take a keyring and weave it around the hole you’ve created from the bottom of the monkey fist.
- Once you’re done you can attach it to your keys or pass it on to a friend.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating a Five Strand Monkey Knot

1
Position the rope. Place the rope over the edge of your open left hand. The short tail should be over the front of your hand. The rest of the rope should be behind your hand.
- Give yourself enough length of paracord with the short tail so that its doesn’t slip out of your monkey fist.
- Pull the short end down far enough so the it goes just passed your bottom finger.
2
Wrap the rope vertically five times. Grab the long tail and wrap it five times around your fingers.
- Each successive wrap should be closer to the tips of your fingers.
- On the final wrap you will loop around your finger before wrapping the paracord around the back of your fist, then drawing it around toward you.
3
Slide the coiled rope off your hand. Be sure that you maintain the orientation. Keep this same hand positioned so the loops hold.
- Alternatively, if you find it easier you can keep the paracord on your fingers. You’ll just have to loop the horizontal turns between your finger and palm.
4
Wrap the rope horizontally five times. Grab the long tail and wrap it perpendicularly around the five loops just created. Do this five times.
- Each subsequent horizontal strand should be above the last. When done, you should have five strands of rope looped vertically and cinched loosely by five horizontal wraps.
- Finish this portion of the fist by wrapping the last loop around the vertical strand.
5
Change directions to vertical. Again grab the long tail and tuck it above the five newest horizontal strands facing you, and follow through underneath. Continue with this motion five times. Weave through the top and out the bottom.
- You want to wrap your paracord in between your first vertical loops but over and under your horizontal ones.
- Finish this portion of the monkey's fist by wrapping the last loop around the original vertical strand.
- Insert a large marble. To add an extra weight to your monkey's fist, add a large marble to its center. For the five strand monkey knots, you’ll need something in the core to add to the bulk of the fist.
6
Snug up. Spend a few minutes gently tugging each loop to tighten your knot. Start with the first loop you cast and end with the last.
- You have to slowly tighten each part of the paracord in succession.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you use a monkey fist?

Lindsey Campbell
Weaving Instructor
Lindsey Campbell is an artist and instructor behind Hello Hydrangea, a modern fiber company specializing in custom home decor and weaving supplies. She has taught over 2500 students how to weave craft through her online video classes. Lindsey's work has been featured in Design*Sponge, Huffington Post, and Vintage Revivals, and she has designed products for JoAnns Crafts, Anthropologie, and Nordstrom.

Lindsey Campbell

Weaving Instructor

Expert Answer

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Display your Monkey's fist to show off your work! Monkey's fists are mostly decorative. You can use a thick rope to create a big knot and display it on a table or in a bowl, for instance. Since they have the loop at the top, you can also hang it straight on the wall. You can also create a long loop and turn the Monkey's fist into a necklace.
Question

Can you do the monkey knot without a marble or a ball?

Community Answer

Yes, but will be small - which means it is easy to conceal and still packs a punch.
Question

What supplies do I need?

Anjali

Community Answer

Paracord (you can use shoelaces, string or yarn as a substitute), a marble, and a keyring (optional).