Tags :: §column ties §single-column ties §double-column ties §forward tension column ties §Western style Shibari
The Somerville Bowline is a very strong, non-directional, jam resistant column tie ideal for use in suspension lines, but suitable as a general "go-to" column tie. It was discovered in 2010 by §Topologist. Unlike many knots in Shibari, it does not appear to be a rediscovery of a commonly used knot.
The wraps are able to slide through the knot, meaning that the tension of the cuff is usually even and can be corrected. It is very resistant to being §dressed badly.
It is highly resistant to jamming; to undo, simply pull/loosen the rope trapping the bight, and then pull the bight through and the knot will collapse.
Like most knots it can be slipped.
It can be tied inline, but this is not really practical - the §reverse Somerville Bowline is a better option if you really want to use a Somerville.
I have a very fast way of tying it, taking advantage of how durable it is to being tied badly, but I haven't made a video of this yet. It's about equivalently fast to §WykD Dave's method but less fiddly.
§WykD Dave also points out that if the loop is tied the wrong way, the result is another perfectly acceptable knot.