11 year old Alice learned how to tie a Monkey’s Fist 
from her grandmother, Sally, who was also on the Spirit trip. In the evening or when there was down time, Alice would make tiny fists and taught us how to make them.
A monkey’s fist or monkey paw is a type of knot, so named because it looks somewhat like a small bunched fist/paw. It also looks somewhat like a volleyball or an older style football. It is tied at the end of a rope to serve as a weight, making it easier to throw, and also as an ornamental knot. This type of weighted rope can be used as an improvised weapon, called a slungshot by sailors. It was also used in the past as an anchor in rock climbing, by stuffing it into a crack, but this is obsolete and dangerous.
Click here to make your own MONKEY’S FIST!
Good Morning Gloucester 