Diagonal Lashing

A diagonal lashing is used to bind two poles together that cross each other but do not touch (or are likely to be pulled apart) when their ends are lashed in place in a structure. Often used for securing diagonal braces used to hold a structure rigid.

  1. Tie a timber hitch diagonally around both poles.
  2. Start the wrapping turns on the opposite diagonal to the timber hitch, by pulling the rope tight so that the poles contact each other.
  3. Take 3 to 4 wrapping turns; keep the wrapping turns parallel; pull each wrapping turn tight. [NOTE] If the wrapping turns are allowed to cross, the increased friction between the strands of the rope will make it difficult to tighten the wrapping turns.
  4. Start the second set of wrapping turns by going past and around the vertical pole. [NOTE] Going around the pole the rope allows the direction of the rope to be changed without crossing the first set of wrapping diagonally.
  5. Take 3 to 4 wrapping turns; be sure to keep the wrapping turns parallel; pull each wrapping turn tight.
  6. Start the frapping turns by going past and around one of the poles. [NOTE] Going around the pole with the rope allows the direction of the rope to be changed without crossing the wrapping turns diagonally.
  7. Take 2 to 3 frapping turns; keep the frapping turns parallel. Be sure to pull each turn tight.
  8. End the lashing with a clove hitch. Take the first half hitch of the clove hitch by going past and then around one of the poles. Lock the half hitch tight against the lashing by working it tight.
  9. Take a second half hitch around the pole.
  10. Work the second half hitch tight against the first half hitch so that the clove hitch is locked against the lashing.