Building a Hanger

A quote by Ira Glass that reads “For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit.”

Building a Hanger

Step 1: Choose your hanger

We use three types of hangers:

A single hanger attaches to a single point on a harness.

A side by side Y hanger attaches to both sides of a stem.

A parallel Y hanger, shown here, attaches to two bands of a harness.

Step 2: Choose your finish

Any of the hanger types can be finished with either a tight finish or a loose finish.

A tight finish, shown here, doesn’t slide and performs well at different angles.

A loose finish slides and rotates. It’s useful to attaching to two bands you want to keep separate.

A doubled blue rope crosses the image horizontally. A doubled tan rope has been tied in a snug Somerville bowline around the blue rope. Two double lengths of tan rope travel up the image two inches away from the Somerville, then make a yuki knot. A three inch long bight extends out from the yuki knot. The tail of the rope exits to the top of the image.

Step 3: Add an optional double bight

The double bight is a simple knot that reinforces the bight of a hanger. It also stabilizes the hanger and keeps it from capsizing.

We sometimes use a long double bight to avoid pressure points or rope burn.

Hangers

Single hanger

A single hanger is a single column tie that attaches to a single part of a harness.

It’s commonly used for attaching to single wrap harnesses, and for attaching to the stem of certain TKs.

Side by side Y hanger

The side by side Y hanger is most commonly used for attaching to one wrap of a harness on either side of the stem.

The side by side Y hanger is usually finished with a tight finish.

Parallel Y hanger

The parallel Y hanger attaches to two separate points, typically two wraps of a harness. It’s also useful for attaching to both thighs of a hip harness.

The parallel Y hanger is usually finished with a loose finish.

Finishes

Tight Finish

A tight finish collapses the knot of the hanger against the harness. We use a modified two half hitches knot for our tight finish.

On a single hanger, it creates a secure attachment that won’t slide or rotate. On a Y hanger, it provides a compact attachment that will perform well when loaded at different angles.

Loose Finish

A loose finish leaves some space between the attachment points and the knot of the hanger. We use a Somerville bowline for our loose finish.

On a single hanger, it allows the attachment point to slide and rotate. On a Y hanger, it maintains separation between the attachment points.

Double Bight

The double bight is a simple knot that turns a standard bight into a doubled bight. It adds stability and durability to the hanger.

Any critical upline should have a hanger with at least two of the following:

Load-rated synthetic rope
A carabiner
A double bight

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