Quite frankly, it is the first knot you should learn because of its value if someone is stranded and needs to be hoisted to safety. The bowline is an end loop knot and is a favorite in climbing, boating, and emergency rescue. Finish by taking the line through the loop you just created and pull to lock the knot in place. Go over the rail again but to the left of the original line. Bring the line back under the rail to the right of the original, or running, line. To tie a clove hitch, throw the end of the line over the rail. It is the knot of choice when tying bumpers to the rails of a ship or a horse to a hitching post.
Used primarily for tethering an object to a rail, the clove hitch can be tied and untied with one hand. The clove hitch is simple to tie but extremely functional. To untie, break the top loop loose which will open the entire knot. Pull tight, and you will have a square knot. Then tie another overhand knot but reverse which line goes under the other. To tie a square knot, start by tying an overhand knot. It does do well when tying a line around an object, especially when it comes time to untie. The reef knot joins two lines together, but it doesn’t lock, making it a poor choice to use as a hitch. That is why the square knot or reef hitch is a popular choice. Doubling it solves the loosening issue, but it becomes very hard to untie. The problem with an overhand knot is it comes loose quickly. Other Knots that Start as an Overhand Knot: Tie yet another overhand knot with the loops, and you have a double granny knot or a triple overhand with loops. These are very hard to untie if pulled tight, so instead of using the ends of the line, make loops and tie the loops together with a second overhand knot. If you do the exact same thing again, you have a double overhand knot. Tuck the top line under the lower and then pull tight. To tie this knot, simply place one end of a line on top of another. This knot is used to tie two ends of a line around an object. Most likely it is also the first learned.
The simplest of all knots, the overhand knot is also the most commonly tied. Most have applications in camping, climbing, and emergency care, making them a great tool to have no matter where you are or what you are doing. You may even recognize some of them, by name at least. It is these simple versions you should focus on. But most are just variations on a simpler version. Far too many to include them all in one article, guide, or even book. Running End: The part of a rope that is free.
Bitter End: The part of a rope that is tied off.Grip: Slides which incorporate a loop for a grip.Slide: Knots used to tie onto another line which can be moved along the line as needed.Stoppers: Knots tied at the end of a line to prevent the line from running through devices such as cleats or pulleys.Mid Loops: Knots which form a loop in the middle of a line.End Loops: Knots which form static and non-static loops at the end of a line.Mat: A knot which uses connecting loops in a rope to create a flat surface or net.Bend: A knot used to tie two lengths of rope together.Hitch: A knot tied on purpose with the intent of being able to untie when necessary.Knot Termsįirstly it is a good idea to get acquainted with major knot terms. Speaking of proper names, it might be helpful to go through a few that pop up from time to time when talking about knots. But, if a cantankerous sea Captain angrily corrects your nomenclature don’t say I didn’t warn you. That is the important part of any decent knot tying guide, not the names.
#Basic knot tying diagrams how to#
Now, I don’t care if you call them knots or hitches as long as you know how to tie them and when to use which one. See also: Types of Rope for The Outdoors: Tying It All Together It was the first of many truths I learned from him. He also told me knots were accidents which can’t be untied. When I asked, he grew sterner and informed me the proper name was reef hitch. I looked closely at his creation and was confused. Laughing, he took the line and quickly formed a perfect knot. He could see my discomfort and didn’t help matters when he told me the reef hitch was the easiest thing in the world to tie. I had even worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. I was a boy scout and an avid sailor for years before this test. After twenty minutes of hard questions, he pulled out a small length of line and flipped it toward me, asking me to tie a reef hitch. I was applying to work as a deckhand on a private yacht and the Captain, a former British Navy officer, really put me through the paces. I still remember my first real job interview.