Editing Butterfly loop (section)

{{short description|Knot used to form a fixed loop in the middle of a rope}}
{{Infobox knot
| name         = Butterfly loop
| image        = Alpine_butterfly_loop.jpg
| caption      = A butterfly loop with a [[carabiner]].
| names        = alpine butterfly knot, butterfly knot, lineman's loop, lineman's rider
| type         = loop
| origin       = 
| related      = [[Alpine butterfly bend]], [[farmer's loop]], [[artillery loop]], [[span loop]]
| releasing    = Non-jamming
| uses         = Fixed loop on the bight. Isolating a worn section of rope.
| caveat       = 
| abok_number  = #331, #532,<ref name="ashley_note_87">Entry #532 on page 87 of ''[[The Ashley Book of Knots]]'' shows a diagram of the butterfly loop under the name [[harness loop]]. Ashley appears to have illustrated or named the incorrect knot in this case.  The harness loop is shown and discussed as a distinct and specific knot throughout the rest of the book.</ref> '''#1053'''
| instructions = [http://www.animatedknots.com/alpinebutterfly/]
}}

The '''butterfly loop''', also known as '''lineman's loop''', '''butterfly knot''', '''alpine butterfly knot''' and '''lineman's rider''', is a [[knot]] used to form a fixed [[List of loop knots|loop]] in the middle of a [[rope]]. Tied [[in the bight]], it can be made in a rope without access to either of the ends; this is a distinct advantage when working with long [[climbing]] ropes. The butterfly loop is an excellent mid-line rigging knot; it handles multi-directional loading well<ref name="On Rope, p. 49"/> and has a symmetrical shape that makes it easy to inspect.<ref name="On Rope, p. 49">{{cite book |title=On Rope; North American Vertical Rope Techniques |edition=New Revised |first=Bruce |last=Smith |year=1996 |location=Huntsville, Ala. |publisher=[[National Speleological Society]] |author2=Allen Padgett |isbn=1-879961-05-9|page=49}}</ref>  In a climbing context it is also useful for [[Traverse (climbing)|traverse]] lines, some [[Anchor (climbing)|anchors]], shortening [[Sling (climbing equipment)|rope slings]], and for isolating damaged sections of rope.<ref name="ACTp73">{{cite book |title=Alpine Caving Techniques; A Complete Guide to Safe and Efficient Caving |url=https://archive.org/details/alpinecavingtech00marb |url-access=limited |last=Marbach |first=Georges |year=2002 |location=Allschwil, Switzerland |publisher=Speleo Projects, Caving Publications International |author2=Bernard Tourte |others=English edition translated and adapted by Melanie Alspaugh |isbn=3-908495-10-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/alpinecavingtech00marb/page/n73 73]}}</ref>