The "Butterfly Line" - organizer/clothesline/whatever

[Kyle]

So, I saw digrat's "Rat Tail" and immediately thought, "Huh, how handy... how do I make it lighter?" LOL.

I took 20ft of Zing-It, tied a Dutch Hook on each end using a bowline, marked every 8 inches on the line, then tied an Alpine Butterfly Knot at each mark (hence the name). The result was a line just short of 12ft with a fixed loop every 5in or so, and a Dutch Hook on each end. Like so:



Here it is hanging in a U shape, both ends attached to the same branch, as a misc hanger/organizer:



I found the easiest (and lightest AND cheapest (free)) way to attach stuff sacks to the loops was to put a section of the drawcord of a sack through a loop, then put a twig through:



Strung up horizontally, as a clothesline/quilt drying line/misc organizer:



I'm sure there are TON of a uses for this thing. Feeling festive/romantic? String it horizontally and hang a bunch of DIY candle lanterns (can't see the thread? Become a donating member and you will be able to) from it. I'm no fisherman, but I suspect you could technically tie lines/hooks to each loop and string it over a stream in a pinch. The possibilities are certainly numerous. As a bonus, anyone that undertakes the project will probably be able to tie an alpine butterfly blindfolded in a hurricane during an earthquake... in the rain... with one hand...

All this for 10g (AKA .35oz AKA .02lb):


(Note: all those knots and loops make detangling extremely difficult, so I recommend always storing it using the figure-8 method)

At this weight, I think it will probably have a spot in the pack for every trip.

[Labrador]

Very clever. I may have to try that one myself.

[bruinfan]

kewl. love the links to stuff too. thanks

happy hanging

[Bubba]

That's what I do as well. Very handy to keep stuff separated when hanging the line horizontally or vetically.

[Knotty]

Almost anything that uses an alpine butterfly knot gets a thumbs up from me.

[MAD777]

Innovation doesn't have to stop at the hammock

[Whatknot]

HF is so brilliant. Yet another idea - noted and will use. Thanks!

[Redoleary]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[darkbyrd]

New favorite knot! Thanks!

[Arothian]

Looks like I have something new to do with my spool of Zing-It. Thanks for sharing! This looks great.