14 Helpful Knots

Admit it, there has been a time when you have stood awkwardly off to the side of your vehicle, canoe tipping precariously toward the pavement, and watched “that guy” dexterously weave it back onto your vehicle for you with a series of seemingly complex knots.  “Drat,” you think to yourself, “why didn’t I take the time to learn a few simple knots?  I feel like such an idiot!”  Don’t worry; we’ve all been there.  Read on, my friend.

Overhand Knot – a knot to use if your goal is permanence
Possible uses: tying shoelaces, fishing, climbing

Figure 8 Knot – a “stopper” knot that can be easily untied
Possible uses: stopper knot: sailing, climbing, can replace the overhand knot

Double Overhand Knot – a stopper knot – exceedingly difficult to untie
Possible uses: a stopper at the end of a rope

Reef (Square) Knot – a “binding” knot – do not use with two ropes of unequal diameter
Possible uses: can be used to join two ropes of equal diameter together or to
secure two objects together with one cord

Carrick Bend – a beautifully symmetrical entanglement
Possible uses: binds two ropes together, particularly when heavy rope is in use

Bowline Knot – a useful loop knot that is easy to tie and untie
Possible uses: this knot makes a firm loop at the end of a rope

Timber Hitch – a woodsman’s knot
Possible uses: attach a single rope to a piece of wood

Half Hitch – basically, an overhand knot tied around an object
Possible uses: generally used as part of another knot; not very useful on its own

Clove Hitch – composed of two half-hitches wrapped around an object
Possible uses: ground anchor for climbing, useful when the length of rope needs
to be easily adjusted such as when anchoring a curtain rope in the theater

Cow Hitch – the baggage tag loop
Possible uses: tying a rope around a pole

Taut Line Hitch – useful when the length of rope needs to be adjusted
Possible uses: adjusting tent lines, securing items such as a canoe to your vehicle

Butterfly Knot – an excellent mid-line rigging knot
Possible uses: segregate a tattered section of rope

Fisherman’s Knot – not for tying a hook on a line!
Possible uses: tying two lines together, particularly those that are slippery

Improved Clinch Knot – what, intuitively, should be called the fisherman’s knot
Possible uses: tying a hook onto a fishing line