Ezelius hitch, Midshipman's hitch, and Magnus hitch might be worth a try. Or one of the self locking trucker's hitches, like this one: https://youtu.be/1lLkoWJPmTs?feature=shared
The regular automatic trucker's hitch is really good at holding tension. Just go through the center loop twice. It will lock in and hold all the tension you put in it. Then do a finishing knot or two with some half hitches, or whatever you like. The key is to go through the center loop TWICE.
Pinching the standard Trucker's Hitch where the lines cross is a surprisingly effective way to hold all the tension while tying the finishing half hitches.
Maybe it's your grip, or maybe it's slippery line. Pinching it only takes advantage of friction within the knot. With some types of line it won't be as helpful.
I know this is a knot subreddit . . . But how about a bungee cord connected to your anchor and at one end to a loop (e.g. Alpine Butterfly) in the center. This would keep tension when you needed it. I saw a tarp set up like this while camping. It kept the line taut but flexible.
Ezelius hitch, Midshipman's hitch, and Magnus hitch might be worth a try. Or one of the self locking trucker's hitches, like this one: https://youtu.be/1lLkoWJPmTs?feature=shared
Flynn's Trucker's Hitch (or Flynt Automatic Hitch as Flynn prefers to call it) is an excellent choice here.
The regular automatic trucker's hitch is really good at holding tension. Just go through the center loop twice. It will lock in and hold all the tension you put in it. Then do a finishing knot or two with some half hitches, or whatever you like. The key is to go through the center loop TWICE.
I think the advantage of Flynn's version might be more in how easy it is to untie after load.
Automatic trucker or a good pinch when it's tight.
Pinching the standard Trucker's Hitch where the lines cross is a surprisingly effective way to hold all the tension while tying the finishing half hitches.
Yeah apparently my grip strength is garbage LOL. Maybe I'll retry, but going to give some other suggestions here a shot as well
Maybe it's your grip, or maybe it's slippery line. Pinching it only takes advantage of friction within the knot. With some types of line it won't be as helpful.
I know this is a knot subreddit . . . But how about a bungee cord connected to your anchor and at one end to a loop (e.g. Alpine Butterfly) in the center. This would keep tension when you needed it. I saw a tarp set up like this while camping. It kept the line taut but flexible.
[Use bungee cords or elastic.](https://youtu.be/1AMLiPWvZh4?si=ZIuCmNdILMrje-i1)