A Miller's knot (also Sack knot or Bag knot) is a binding knot used to secure the opening of a sack or bag. Historically, large sacks often contained grains; thus the association of these knots with the miller's trade. Several knots are known interchangeably by these three names.^[1]

Variations

As noted above, several distinct knots have historically been known as Miller's, Sack, or Bag knots. To avoid ambiguity, these knots are listed below by the reference numbers found in The Ashley Book of Knots. All of these knots can also be made in a slipped form by completing the final tuck with a bight instead of the end.^[2]

1. 1241

1. 1242

1. 1243

This knot is also a useful hitch and is known by the name Ground-line hitch when used for that purpose.^[2]

1. 1244

This variation is noted by Ashley as having better binding characteristics than the others.^[2]

References

1. ↑ Clifford W. Ashley, The Ashley Book of Knots (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 62.
2. ↑ ^{a b c} Ashley, 224.