I love playing with rope and knots, and I’m not usually at a loss when I need a knot for a specific purpose. Until recently. Since receiving a small George Foreman rotisserie as a gift, much of my ropework has gone into tying up chickens for the rotisserie. I inevitably end up bringing the two ends together across the breast and trying to tie a tight square knot, and the process of tying the square knot inevitably results in a much looser string. So, I need a knot that’s good for tying two ends running in opposing directions under tension without loosening. Preferably something easy. I’ve tried a couple knot sites that I usually learn my knots from, but it’s hard to find what I’m looking for when I don’t know the name of the knot I need. Any help?
What you need is TWO different knots. First, tie a loop with a figure-8 knot in one end of your string. Truss up your chicken as usual and then feed the end of the string through the loop. Cinch up your string and finish off with a couple of half hitches. Easy peasy.
Cool, thanks!
Alton Brown uses the Surgeon’s knot.
It’s on Wikipedia, but simply put, you make an overhand but go around an extra time or two, then make the knot on top. Picture here .
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That’s how we used to tie down loads when I worked on the ranch.
I was going to recommend the surgeon’s knot it works great for fishing, opposite directions of line and can hold tension.
I love the surgeon’s knot. I’d teach it to everyone if I could. Your kid’s shoes keep coming untied? Surgeon’s knot. Slippery rope? Surgeon’s knot. I use it when I wear kimono for the ties to keep the kimono in place before you put on the obi.
The surgeon’s knot will do the job and is much less trouble than doing something with a loop. Going through a loop is advantageous when you need to snug something up (e.g. clothesline or guy line) because of the 2:1 mechanical advantage (less friction) it provides. I think it’s overkill for trussing a bird.
For the benefit of those not familiar with it: surgeon’s knot.
Huh, surgeon’s knot, you say? 
I don’t know why I didn’t think of that myself.
Clove hitch. If you have any slack, tie a monkey’s fist.
Taut line hitch, assuming you have your loop made in the other end (same concept as the 2 half hitches posted earlier).
I’ll third using a Surgeon’s Knot.