Matthew Walker Stopper Knot (3-strand version)

This is the most common use case in rope work because it’s built around three wraps and cinches into a neat knob.

Step 1) Prep the rope end

1. Cut the end clean.

2. If the rope frays easily, tape the last 1–2 inches or do a quick whipping.

3. Decide how big you want the knob: leave 3–5 inches of working tail to tie with.

Step 2) Make three “U” bights

You’re going to form three loops (bights) in the rope, stacked like steps.

1. Hold the rope end in your non-dominant hand.

2. With the working end (tail), form a U-shaped loop (bight) in front of the standing part.

3. Form a second U-shaped loop just above the first.

4. Form a third U-shaped loop above the second.

You should now see three bights, one on top of the other, all facing the same direction.

Tip for customers: If you can make three identical “handles” stacked neatly, you’re 80% there.

Step 3) Feed the tail through the bights (bottom to top)

This is the key move.

1. Take the tail and pass it through the bottom bight.

2. Then pass the tail through the middle bight.

3. Then pass the tail through the top bight.

So the tail goes: bottom → middle → top.

Step 4) Dress the knot (make it look right before you crank it)

Before tightening:

• Make sure each bight stays open and doesn’t twist.

• The wraps should lie flat and look evenly stacked.

• The tail should be coming out cleanly at the top.

If it looks messy now, it’ll lock messy.

Step 5) Tighten in stages (don’t yank it all at once)

This knot tightens best if you “walk” it down.

1. Pull gently on the standing part to start snugging.

2. Pull the tail a bit.

3. Alternate: standing part → tail → standing part → tail.

4. Use a fid/marlinspike to help set each wrap if it’s stiff rope.

You’ll see the three bights collapse into a rounded knob.

Step 6) Set it hard

Once it’s shaped:

• Pull firmly on the standing part.

• Pull firmly on the tail.

• Give it one last “dress” by pushing the knot together with your fingers.

4-wrap or 5-wrap Matthew Walker

Same exact method, just stack 4 or 5 bights and feed the tail through all of them bottom-to-top.
More wraps = bigger knob and more visual finish (also uses more tail).

Finishing options for ranch-rope customers

Choose what fits your rope material and brand.

• Trim + melt (synthetic only): After it’s fully set, trim the tail to ~1/4". Carefully melt and mushroom it (don’t scorch the knot).

• Shrink tube: Slide a short piece over the tail before tying, then shrink it after trimming.

• Whipping behind the knot: A short whipping just behind the stopper looks professional and protects the transition.

Quick troubleshooting (the stuff customers mess up)

• Knot won’t cinch into a knob: bights are twisted or you skipped a bight when feeding the tail.

• It looks lopsided: you tightened too hard too early—reset and tighten in stages.

• It slips or deforms: rope is very slick and not fully set; tighten harder and consider a finishing melt/whip.