How to Tie a Choke Knot
How to Tie Knots
Published: February 11th, 2020
This tutorial will show you how to tie knots that will suit most—if not all—of your outdoor needs. In fact, these are the very knots that rock-climbers, backpackers and hunters rely on when they're out in the wild. We'll be sharing plenty of pictures to reference. We'll also be digging into what each knot is best used for along with how (and why) it works.
And, if you're new at the art of knot tying, don't worry. We've got a handful of basic knots to help you get started. If some terms get too technical,check out the glossary located at the end of the post.
11 Common and Useful Knots
If you were to only learn a handful of knots that would serve you in all kinds of situations in the outdoors, here are the ones we'd recommend:
1. Square knot
Knot type: A popular and easy binding knot also called a 'joining' or 'reef knot.'
Why use it: One of the most popular and well-known knots, this is best used when you need to join two pieces of rope together, or when you want to secure the rope to an object. Keep in mind that the two ropes need to be the same size diameter in order for the knot to work and not slip. This can be useful for carrying, moving stacks of firewood or for binding bandages.
Common activities: Hiking, Boating, Sailing, First Aide
Considerations: This knot is created by two overhands knots. It's not reliable in lifting heavy loads.
2. Clove hitch
Knot type: Hitch, binding knot.
Why use it: Because of the clove hitches versatility it is one of the most important knots you can know how to make. It's composed of two half hitches that join which creates one clove hitch. You can make as many half hitches as you want on an object. This kind of knot ties in the middle of a piece of rope and can begin or complete lashings. It's easy to make and can secure a rope to an object such as a tree or pole. It can handle a lot of weight and works well in hoisting heaving objects. If you get enough practice at making a clove hitch, you'll find you can learn to tie it one-handed.
Common activities: Hiking, Sailing, Boating, Rock climbing, lifting heavy objects
Considerations: There's over one way to tie this knot. An easy way is by looping the rope counter-clockwise across an object and creating a crossing point. Then make another counter-clockwise loop and feed the end of the rope through the loop. Tighten by pulling both ends.
Warning: The knot can slip and come undone if pressures removed from the line.
3. Bowline
Knot type: Loop
Why use it: This quick and easy knot creates a fixed loop at the end of your rope that works alone or as the beginning stages to creating a slip knot. The knot strengthens when weight is applied to it and it has many outdoor uses. It can secure a line on a boat to a post, tie hammocks, suspend bear bags, secure climbers to their harness, and it may also get tied around rescuers waists during rescue operations. The knot is very easy to tie and untie, even after it's been used to lift heavy items.
Common activities: Hiking, Sailing, Boating, Rock climbing, Rescue operations
Considerations: To tie make a loop on the standing side, slide the end of the rope through the loop like if making an overhand knot. Then go around the standing end and up through the loop. Tighten by pulling the standing side while holding the bight.
4. Figure Eight
Knot type: Loop, Stopper
Why use it: You can use the same figure-eight method used in creating this knot to make either a knot or a loop that gets placed at the end of a line. This is one of the strongest on our list and it doesn't easily slide. It can come in handy when you need to make a secure loop in the middle of your rope or for attaching a lure or rig to a fishing line. It's also often used by rock climbers when attaching a rope to their climbing harness, and since its shape is so recognizable it's easy to double-check for safety reasons. The downfall to this knot is that it's tough to get undone, especially after there's been some serious weight applied to it.
Common activities: Rock climbing, Caving, Sailing, Fishing, Outdoor use
Considerations: A common stopper knot, the figure-eight is made by forming a loop, twisting it once, feeding the tail through the upper loop and then pulling at both ends.
5. Half hitch
Knot type: Hitch
Why use it: The half hitch is a basic overhand knot that's more of a support knot compared to the others on our list. It's not very secure on its own, so it's rarely used alone but becomes an accompaniment to strengthen others (like the two half hitch we're about to mention below.) It can be used for temporarily tying two light objects together or even for hanging small amounts of food to keep out of the way of mice… Which might just come in handy during a few overnight shelter stays.
Common activities: Support knot, hanging small objects.
Considerations: Bring the working end of the rope over then under the standing end to create this straightforward overhand knot.
6. Two half hitch
Knot type: Hitch
Why use it: As the name suggests, the two-half hitch combines two of the half hitch knots together. The tighter you pull on the rope, the more the rope will tighten around the object. It's a much more secure knot than its half-version and it's used to tie and cinch down one object to another sturdier, fixed object (post, tree). Because it's a sliding knot, it's also very easy to loosen. This is useful in tying tarp lines, hanging clotheslines or hammocks, tying equipment down to the top of your vehicle or mooring a boat to a pole. Be sure to use this knot when tensions applied to the line, as it can come loose if there's too much slack.
Common activities: Hiking, Guy lines for Tarps, Tent set-up, attaching items to backpack, Sailing, Boating, Weaving, Fishing
Considerations: Made by joining two half hitches together, be sure that the half hitches both go in the same direction.
7. Taut-line hitch
Knot type: Loop
Why use it: This knot creates an adjustable loop that can easily slide up and down a rope to tighten or loosen the tension of the rope. Under tension, the knot will lock into place so it won't slip. Creating a taut-line hitch can serve many uses around camp, including tying items to the outside of your pack, securing tent-guy lines, helping to install a tarp or a rain fly to use overtop of your hammock, and even for hanging a bear bag. This knots definitely a reliable one, it's even been used by astronauts in space during repair missions.
Common activities: Hiking, Tree climbing, Sailing, securing heavy loads on vehicles
Considerations: Wrap the rope around a sturdy object, take the working end under the standing end and wrap it around twice, add a half hitch and bring the working end back over the standing end. Tighten it enough to be secure, but not enough so it can't slide.
8. Marlin-spike toggle
Knot type: Hitch
Why use it: You could create this knot if you wanted to place a wood handle on a rope while making a rope ladder. Or if you were looking for a way to secure a solid object to the rope so you could use that object to grab onto for better grip than just pulling with your bare hands. This would help to prevent injury and give you more overall control. Hammock campers also use this knot often with a toggle for hanging hammocks and attaching whoopie slings to a tree strap.
Common activities: Hiking, Hammock set-up, Sailing, Boating
Considerations: The "handle" you create on this knot could be made from branches, a pole, or even a small pocketknife. The knot is made by crossing the standing end over working for a loop, flip the loop upwards, push the bight of the standing end through the loop then pull both ends tight.
9. Trucker's Hitch
Knot type: Hitch, Cinch knot
Why use it: This knot is best used for heavier objects and loads. It works in tying down long lines of rope and can be handy when you want to strap and secure something down to a vehicle or trailer. You can also use this knot for creating clotheslines, tying down sails, securing the guy lines on your tent or tarp with tension, or if you need to fasten down the ropes on your boat, kayak or canoe.
Common activities: Strapping down heavy objects, Camping, Sailing, Boating
Considerations: This knot is very strong and is made from three different parts that when tightened has a 3-to-1 power-driven advantage.
10. Prusik knot
Knot type: Hitch, Friction knot
Why use it: Made from a smaller cord attaching to a larger rope, the Prusik knot is also called a "friction hitch." This knot creates a loop that can move up or down a line. It's used when you want to loop around an object, but still want to have that loop be able to slide vertically along the rope when the tension gets released. As soon as tension is applied, the knot and loop will lock into place. This is a common knot among mountaineers and climbers when they need to create loops they can use to ascent vertically, or if they require the use of both of their hands while climbing.
Common activities: Mountaineering, Climbing, Caving, Rescue, Rappelling
Considerations: Rope size is important in making this knot, and a general rule of thumb is that the Prusik knot cord should be smaller in diameter than the rope that you are attaching too.
11. Lark's head
Knot type: Hitch, Loop
Why use it: Very similar to the square knot, the Lark's head is often also referred to as a "cow hitch." It's a very common, straightforward and easy to tie choking loop that is useful when you need to quickly create a loop in the middle of your line that will secure a rope to an object. Likewise, it works if you need to connect two lines together. There's also a version of this called the "double larks-head" which is essentially just two lark head knots together. This version will help secure the knot to stay in the center of an object if that is a concern. This knot can also be used to temporarily tighten and seal off the top of a bag while still allowing you easy access to get in and out of the bag if need be. Another good use is looping it around a dog's collar to use as a leash.
Common activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Climbing, Rescue, Sailing, Boating, Securing Livestock to a post
Considerations: The knot requires applied tension in order for it to pull tight.
Types of Knots
Loops
What is it? A knot where a rope forms a curve, meets at a crossing point and ties to itself. This creates a reinforced circle that can be gripped, stepped in, or used as a handle. Loops may either be a slip or non-slip knot and they can also be fixed at one size or adjustable.
How does it work? To create a loop, the rope ties together in two parts. You can make the loop as large or small as you like. There are two ways to tie loops:
- Overhand: Made by tying the working end over the standing end.
- Underhand: Opposite, tied working end under the standing end.
Commonly used for? Fishing, hanging bear bags or items, attaching hooks/clips, creating a handle at the end of a rescue rope.
Bends
What is it? A knot that is used to attach two ropes together. This kind of knot will generally work even if the two ropes aren't the same size.
How does it work? Two ropes intertwine and "loop" together and pull in opposite directions which creates resistance, securing the ropes together. This knot shouldn't experience any slipping.
Commonly used for? Extending the length of a rope, fixing a broken fishing line or rope, making a fishing net.
Hitches
What is it? You use a hitch knot if you want to secure objects to a rope or if you want to tie to a stable object.
How does it work? This is your basic overhand knot. When one end of the rope gets pulled, this creates tension which tightens the knot by pulling the opposite end in the reverse direction.
Commonly used for? Climbers lines, securing a rain fly, creating a clothes line, docking a boat, hanging a bear bag.
Bindings
What is it? A knot that's used to bundle several items together or enhance grip.
How does it work? Wrapping the rope around the object (or objects) multiple times with both of its ends secures the objects stay in place and bundled together.
Commonly used for? Grouping multiple items, securing objects, creating a grip.
Friction
What is it? This knot is easily adjustable, and when there is no weight applied to it than it can move freely up or down a rope. The knot forms by attaching multiple lines together. It's often used to climb up or down a rope.
How does it work? The line that you are attaching to the main rope has two looped knots at each end. Then, the knotted line wraps around the main line which attaches to it and can slide up or down. The knot locks in place when you apply pressure which tightens and secures it in place.
Commonly used for? Climbers use friction knots for ascending along a rope or repelling into a cave or crevasse. It can also be used for scaling trees.
Lashings
What is it? This is a way of binding objects together. Many people use lashings when tying straight objects like sticks or poles to one another. To create a lashing, you must wrap rope more than once around the objects. There are different wrapping styles for different uses. Here are the three main styles:
- Square: A square lashing is used when you need to ensure you form a 90-degree angle when joining two objects together.
- Diagonal: This wrapping looks like a big 'X' and helps to keep the two adjoined objects from spinning.
- Shear: Used to support weight, this is commonly used to create A-frames, or to add reinforcement to a weak area.
How does it work? By wrapping the rope around the items, it pulls them together and secures them in place.
Commonly used for? Building a ladder or bridge, repairing a broken tool, fixing a fishing pole.
Jamming knot
What is it? After use, a jamming knot will be very difficult to get undone. It's another type of binding knot, and it's best used when you need objects to stay tight and secure and not worry about them loosening. Like, for example, when hauling a pile of wood or objects of various sizes. Knots get labeled as either jamming or non-jamming knots.
How does it work? With a jamming knot, tension is held on the inside of the loop which constricts movement.
Commonly used for? Hiking, fishing, tying heavy jigs, securing shelter, binding items together.
Stopper knots
What is it? A thick knot that's made at the end of a rope. It's used to either stop the end from sliding all the way through a hole or other narrow passage, or it can keep the rope from unraveling.
How does it work? You wrap the rope around your fingers a few times, then carefully slide the wrapped end off of your fingers and tuck the other end all the way through and pull tight. This will tighten the knot and reinforce it creating the 'bump.'
Commonly used for? Climbing, hiking, sailing, fishing. The main point of a stopper knot is to create a thick enough knot that will stop it from sliding through things. It can also add weight to rope.
Running loops (running bowline)
What is it? A running loop is essentially a noose. It's a loop that easily adjusts larger or smaller.
How does it work? There is one small loop created at the end of the rope, and then the rest of the rope feeds through that loop. This creates an easily adjustable, bigger loop that can tighten or loosen around an object by easily pulling on the long end of the rope.
Commonly used for? Cinching objects, pulling down tree branches, lifting or dragging heavy objects, hanging tree swings.
Common Knot Terms (Definitions)
- Bend —You create a "bend" when you join two ropes together.
- Bight — Referring to the "U" shape a rope makes when you fold it to create two parts that lie next to or touch each other.
- Crossing point — Any spot where the rope crosses over itself.
- Eye — This can refer to any loop in the line, whether it's a temporary or a permanent one.
- Rope —Any material that you're using to tie the knot, whether that be string, cord, or actual rope.
- Standing end — Opposite to the working end, this part of the rope remains unknotted and is the end you don't handle. If rappelling, this is the section that descends towards the ground.
- Tail — What's left of the rope after the knots created. A knot will be more secure with more tail leftover.
- Working end (Running End) — This is the end of the rope that you will move and use to wrap, tie and create the knot.
By Katie Licavoli: Katie Licavoli is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast who specializes in articles, blog posts, gear reviews, and site content about living the Good Life spent exploring The Great Outdoors. Her favorite days are ones in nature, and her favorite views are any with mountains.
About Greenbelly: After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Chris Cage created Greenbelly to provide fast, filling and balanced meals to backpackers. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail .
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