It is important not to make your end closures or knots where any open strands upstream will become an area for load to migrate and lead to end stranding.

When making your end closure or knot, do not first open the strands. In the example of adding a simple overhand knot, make the knot and compact it firmly, but not fully tightened. Then open the strands downstream and fully compact over to the point where the strands go from cabled/twisted as rope to open.

Any open strands upstream of the end closure or knot present looseness in rope twist where longitudinal load can move into.