My go-to knots
Knots are definitely one of my special interests, and I've definitely been late to many appointments because I had some rope and got distracted trying to tie a new knot I learned. There's something so romantic and special to me about how one line can become so many different things with so many different applications.
Aside from the obviously cool and interesting world of knot topology, I do also use knots pretty much constantly in my everyday life as well. So I'm going to list the ones I use most often for when people ask me about knots and the way I use them the most.
Terminology
First I'll start with terminology so we aren't confused.
- Line: your rope or whatever material you are using.
- Working end/Bitter end: the end of your line that is active in the tying.
- Standing end: the end of your line that is not active in the tying.
- Bight: a line that is bent into a U-shape.
- Turn: one round of a rope around an object, or one round of a coil.
And the types of knots we're talking about:
Wikipedia entry for knot types
- Hitch: knot to tie around a post, tree, or some other object.
- Bend: knot to tie two lines together.
- Knot (type): in the case of types, it is a knot (type) because when the knot is tied, it is self-contained and self- supporting; it does not need another object or rope to maintain the integrity of the knot (e.g. a hitch does), and it does not tie two ropes together (i.e. bend).
- Slipped: knot tied using a bight that unties when one end is pulled (e.g. a slipknot).
- Stopper: knot to hold a line through a hole.
Knots
All the knots below have a corresponding entry to Ashley's Book of Knots. There is a link in the resources, but if you are at all into knots, you should check it out from the library and geek out.
Overhand Knot/Half Hitch (#46)
Wikipedia entry for overhand knot
You have tied this already and it's quite boring, but putting it here because it is a foundational knot. It's actually kind of hard to describe with words, so I'll rely on Ashley's book of knots:
The overhand is the simplest of the single-strand stopper knots, and is tied with one end around its own standing part, its purpose being to prevent unreeving.
The only difference between the overhand knot and the half hitch is the application:
The half hitch is tied with one end of a rope which is passed around an object and secured to its own standing part with a single hitch.
- Overhand knots are basic stoppers, but are most useful to me when tied on a bight to create a loop.
- Two half hitches is often used when finished with another knot to secure the knot as well as the extra rope.
Figure 8 Knot (#570)
A variation of the overhand knot, this knot is used a lot in climbing. Slightly nicer to untie than the overhand, but not by much. Again, used as the basis of a ton of other knots.
- Create a loop when tied on a bight at the end or in the middle of a line
Marlinspike Hitch/Slipknot (#2030)
Wikipedia entry for the marlinspike hitch
This is a knot you may already know. But it is both incredibly useful and also the way to start a ton of other useful knots. It's easy to make, non-jamming, and being able to tie this gives you direct access to the bowline and the trefoil stopper knot, which are useful pretty much everywhere, as well as others.
- Making a handle/toggle using a stick (e.g. making a stopper/button, adding a handle to pull another knot tight)
- Quickly but insecurely bundling things together
How to tie and it's lineage to other uses
Bowline (#1010)
Wikipedia entry for the bowline
Bog standard, you should know it. This makes a fixed loop at the end of a line. It's pretty much the one knot worth learning because of it's utility.
- Making a loop at the end of a line
- Tying a line around a fixed object (e.g. the start of a trucker's hitch)
The sailor staggers out of the tavern, around the telephone pole and back into the tavern.
Alpine Butterfly Loop (#331)
Wikipedia entry for the alpine butterfly loop
This lets you add a non-jamming loop anywhere in a line, even when it's already tied at both ends. An immensely useful knot despite it's single application.
- Adding a loop in the middle of a line (e.g. for the leverage point in a trucker's hitch)
Miller's Knot (#1241)
Wikipedia entry for miller's knot
This is a great hitch and knot, and pretty easy to remember. Plus if you mess it up, you likely have just made a variation that works fine, too. Tie it with a bight at the end to make a slipped version and make it easier to untie.
- Securing a line to a post or other object
- Moderately secure and easily undone way to bundle things together or tighten things (e.g. a bundle of firewood, a big bag of dog food, or a sleeping bag)
Taut-line Hitch (#1856)
Wikipedia entry for the taut-line hitch
A friction hitch that creates a fairly robust adjustable loop.
- Moderately secure but not as easily undone way to bundle things together or tighten things (e.g. a bundle of firewood, a big bag of dog food, or a sleeping bag)
- Tighten a line that spans a long distance (e.g. a line to hold up a tarp)
Trucker's Hitch (#2124)
Probably the most useful knot I know. I use it everywhere and anywhere I need to create very high tension. Great as a replacement for ratchet straps, tie-downs for a truck, or if the taut-line hitch is not staying put.
I will note that there are a lot of opinions out there about the "right" way. Find the way that works for you and do it. I use the bowline to start, an alpine butterfly to create the mid-line loop, and two half-hitches to finish.
- Keeping things in place (e.g. back of a moving truck)
- Tying an extremely taut line (e.g. a line between two trees that have some give)
Bundle Knot (#1116)
Wikipedia entry for nooses in general
This is a variation of the slipknot above. I literally always forget about this one when I need it, but it is a great way to bundle things. Locks in place and is easy to untie. The difference between this knot and other nooses is that you tie it slipped so jamming is much less likely.
- Highly secure way to bundle things together or tighten things (e.g. firewood, sticks, sleeping bag)
Zeppelin Bend (variation of #1452)
Wikipedia entry for zeppelin bend
There are better bends out there, but this one is great for so many reasons: easy to untie, symmetrical, fairly easy to remember, and it's pretty. Plus, it is one of the few knots that works for stretchy lines, like bungee.
- Connecting two lines together (e.g. extending one short rope by connecting another)
- Making a line into a giant loop
Resources
Every site I referenced above is a great resource. Youtube has a surprisingly good amount of weirdos with knot related channels, many I have linked above. Particularly I like "First Class Amateur", "TX Tool Crib" and "Bear Essentials".