Probably need a foot or so less shock cord than the length of the tarp's ridge seam, but might want to start long and retie shorter if needed after testing.
- The midpoint of the pole is wrapped with a small piece of tape (for grip).
- Tie the mitten hooks to the ends of the shock cord and then find/mark the midpoint of the total length.
- Pull a bight at the midpoint, slip on a small cordlock, and then girth hitch / lark's head the bight around the pole, centered on the tape.
- Pull the cordlock tight against the hitch.
- The length from the pole to the mitten hook should be near enough equal for both pieces.
Now when the pole is installed and the mitten hooks are clipped to the tarp ridge ends, you should have equal tension on each piece of shock cord, which should keep the pole upright and not tipped to either side.
There is a more elegant solution, which is just to sew a couple ties into the midpoint of the ridge seam and then seam seal that area. Just tie a bow once the pole is in place. Or buy a tent pole clip, attach it to a loop of ribbon, and sew that to the midpoint of the ridge seam, again seam seal that area. Then the pole clips into place without tying a knot.
I should clip the 'tongues' on those hooks. This isn't an application that needs them.
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