Knots

(Click on name or knot for demo, then click the Back button.)

Bowline	The bowline is a knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope.	The structure of the bowline is identical to that of the sheet bend, except the bowline forms a loop in one rope and the sheet bend joins two ropes.

Sheet Bend	The sheet bend is used to join two ropes of different diameters.	The sheet bend (also known as becket bend, weaver's knot and weaver's hitch) is a type of knot, related in structure to the bowline. It is very fast to tie.

Fisherman's Knot	The Fisherman's knot is used to join two ropes of similar diameter.	The Fisherman's knot (also known as True Lover's Knot) requires little dexterity to tie, becomes fairly compact, and the free ends can be cropped very close to the knot.

Clove Hitch	The clove hitch can be used as a binding knot, but is not particularly secure in that role.	The clove hitch consists of two identical half hitches made successively around an object. A clove hitch made around the standing part of the line is known as Two Half-Hitches.

Reef Knot	The reef knot is used to secure something that is unlikely to move much.	The reef knot (also known as square knot) is used to tie two ends of a single line together. Not recommended to tie two lines together.

Cow's Hitch	The cow hitch is used to connect loop-ended lanyards to handheld electronic equipment.	The cow hitch (also known as lark's head) can be tied without access to the ends of the fastening loop.

Rolling Hitch	The Rolling hitch is used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or other rope. A simple friction hitch, it is used for lengthwise pull along an object rather than at right angles.	The Rolling hitch is designed to resist lengthwise movement for only a single direction of pull. A common usage while sailing is for rigging a stopper to relax the tension on a sheet so that a jammed winch or block can be cleared.

Sheep Shank	The sheepshank is used to shorten a rope or bypass a frayed section of rope.	The knot remains secure under tension, but falls apart easily when tension is removed.

Timber Hitch	The timber hitch is a knot used to attach a single length of rope to a piece of wood.	This knot is easily undone after use.