In knot theory, the stevedore knot is one of three prime knots with crossing number six, the others being the 6₂ knot and the 6₃ knot. The stevedore knot is listed as the 6₁ knot in the Alexander–Briggs notation, and it can also be described as a twist knot with four half twists, or as the (5,−1,−1) pretzel knot.

The mathematical stevedore knot is named after the common stevedore knot, which is often used as a stopper at the end of a rope. The mathematical version of the knot can be obtained from the common version by joining together the two loose ends of the rope, forming a knotted loop.

The stevedore knot is invertible but not amphichiral. Its Alexander polynomial is

${\displaystyle \Delta (t)=-2t+5-2t^{-1},\,}$

its Conway polynomial is

${\displaystyle \nabla (z)=1-2z^{2},\,}$

and its Jones polynomial is

${\displaystyle V(q)=q^{2}-q+2-2q^{-1}+q^{-2}-q^{-3}+q^{-4}.\,}$^[1]

The Alexander polynomial and Conway polynomial are the same as those for the knot 9₄₆, but the Jones polynomials for these two knots are different.^[2] Because the Alexander polynomial is not monic, the stevedore knot is not fibered.

The stevedore knot is a ribbon knot, and is therefore also a slice knot.

The stevedore knot is a hyperbolic knot, with its complement having a volume of approximately 3.16396.

• Figure-eight knot (mathematics)