Knots

Overhand Knot Is the smallest, simplest and most commonly used of all the knots. Starting point for many knots. Used to prevent the end of a rope from untwisting. This knot reduces the strength of a straight rope by 55 percent.

Steps to the overhand knot Step 1: Make a crossing turn or loop by placing the working end on top of the standing part. Step 2: Pass the working end through the loop. Step 3: Pull both ends to tighten

The Figure Eight knot Provides a quick and convenient stopper knot to prevent a line sliding out of sight. Its virtue is that, even after it has been jammed tightly against a block, it doesn't bind; it can be undone easily. This virtue is also, occasionally, a vice. The figure of eight can fall undone and then has to be retied.

Steps to the figure eight Step 1: Twist the rope to form a crossing turn or a loop. You can do this by bringing the working end under the standing part. Step 2: Bring the working end above the standing part. Step 3: Pass the working end through the crossing turn or loop that you made earlier. Step 4: Pull to tighten. The knot should be similar to the number 8, hence the name Figure 8.

Slip Knot Start by folding a loop under to make two loops. By beginning the knot this way you can choose which side of the slip knot will slip to tighten or untie.

Slip knot 2. If you want the left side to slip, pass the left loop through the right loop; if you want the right side to slip, pass the right side through the left loop. As shown, the left rope is the slipping side.

Slip knot 3. Tighten the slip knot by hand around the loop so it tightens evenly.

Half Hitch Step 1 - Hook your rope around your post, tree branch, pole, or whatever. Step 2 - Cross the short end under the long, main length of the rope. Step 3 - Bring the short end over and down through the hole between where the rope crosses and the pole. Step 4 - Push the knot to the pole and pull to tighten!

Clove Hitch The clove hitch is another widely used knot. It can be tied using the end or the middle of the rope. Used to fasten a rope to a timber, pipe, or post. Often used to start and finish lashings. With practice, this can be easily tied with one hand.

Steps to clove hitch Step 1: Make two crossing turns which are similar in size. The second one should be made in the opposite direction. Step 2: Put the second loop over the first.

Square Knot The square knot, is a simple, handy knot for temporary ties. It's great for tying your shoes (the "bow knot" is a double-slipped square knot). Note, however, that it is not suitable for connecting two ropes together or any application where it will take a high strain. (Click images to enlarge.) A very useful rhyme to help remembering the steps is Right over left and left over right, Makes the knot neat and tidy and tight. The knot can as easily, and correctly, be tied left over right, right over left.

Steps to the Square Knot 1. Make an "X" with the rope ends, with the right end on top.

Steps to the Square Knot 2. Tie an overhand knot, twisting the right end around the left end.

Steps to the Square Knot 3. With the "new" right and left, put the left over the right 15

Steps to the Square Knot 4. Tie another overhand knot.

Steps to the Square Knot 5. Pull tightly. NOTE: The knot should look very neat - like a square - essentially looking like a loop stuck in another loop.

The Bowline The Bowline has been called the "King of Knots" and it is used around the world in one form or another. This type of knot opens under ring loading and is prone to loosening up when there is no load on it (especially in some synthetic ropes). This increases the possibility of it coming undone or distorted. In addition, the breaking strength of this knot is as much as 40% (very high, meaning that it reduces the strength of the rope heavily). Nevertheless, the bowline can be used for a wide range of jobs.

The Bowline

The Bowline Step 1: Twist the rope to form a crossing turn or a loop. You can do this by bringing the working end under the standing part. Step 2: Pass the tip of the working end through the crossing turn or loop. Step 3: Move the tip of the working end underneath the standing part. Step 4: Pass the tip of the working end through the crossing turn or loop again. Pull to tighten.

Sheep Shank Usage: * To bypass a frayed section of rope * To shorten or remove slack from it * For tying loads down, (like on a trailer or truck) How to make a Sheepshank Knot: When pulled at the rope ends, it's a reliable and strong knot. If pulled in the bight in the middle, it falls apart.

Make a Sheepshank Knot step 1. Make three loops in the same direction.  

Make a Sheepshank Knot step 2. Pull the left side of the center crossing through the loop at the left, and the right side of the center loop to the right.

Make a Sheepshank Knot step 3. Pull on the loops you just formed and then on the standing parts so that the outer crossing turns tighten around the loops. (If the rope becomes slack, the outer crossings turns will loosen their grip and the entire knot will fall apart.)

Truckers Hitch knot Tie a bowline around the top of the knot tying rig Loop the rope around the bottom bar and pull the loose end straight up with your left hand Make a cradle in the tied end of the rope with your right hand Using your left hand lay the loose piece of rope through the cradle Let go with your left hand and grab the tied rope just above the cradle Make a half hitch in the tied rope with your left hand Slide the end of the cradle through the half hitch with your right hand and pull down on the loose end. To finish the knot put two half hitches around the rope entering the cradle

Truckers hitch knot (imperfect)