This knot is sometimes used as a "tie-in", to attach the rope to the climber's harness, instead of the standard figure eight follow through. It has the advantage over the figure eight of being easier to untie after the knot has been weighted. However, it has several disadvantages, such as being less simple to visually inspect, and prone to slippage, requiring the addition of a stopper knot to be really secure. It's also considered weaker than the figure eight. Follow these steps to tie a double bowline:


Step 1: Form two loops and thread the tie in point (harness, whatever). Steps 2 & 3: Weave the rope back through the loops, around the main line, then down through the loops again. Step 4: Wrap the tail as pictured. Step 5: Finish with a stopper knot to ensure there is no slippage.

Further Reading:
Bowline - From the University of New England Mountaineering Club
Bowline One-handed - From Karl Lews web site.
Which Knot As A "Tie In" - The rethreaded figure eight or bowline from Dawn's FAQ site.

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