SURGICAL SQUARE KNOT

1. One square knot requires two mirror image overhand knots (two throws).
2. Two hand technique uses the thumb, index fingers ("pinch") to push ends through loop.
3. One hand technique uses the index, middle fingers to pull ends through the loop.
4. Throws may start from either the crossed or uncrossed positions.
5. Cross the strands or cross your hands.
6. If first throw is crossed left over right, then second throw should be crossed right over left, and vice versa.
7. For the second throw use the other finger from the same hand or the same finger from the other hand.

TWO HAND TECHNIQUE

First throw Second throw First throw Second throw

Left over Right Right over Left Right over Left Left over Right

1. Left Thumb Left Index 5. Right Thumb Right Index

2. Left Thumb Right Thumb 6. Right Thumb Left Thumb
3. Right Index Right Thumb 7. Left Index Left Thumb
“Pistol” grip “Pinch” 4. Right Index Left Index 8. Left Index Right Index

ONE HAND TECHNIQUE

First throw Second throw First throw Second throw

Left over Right Right over Left Right over Left Left over Right

9. Left Middle Left Index 13. Right Middle Right Index

10. Left Middle Right Middle 14. Right Middle Left Middle
11. Right Index Right Middle 15. Left Index Left Middle
“Teacup I” “Teacup II” 12. Right Index Left Index 16. Left Index Right Index

* To obtain a flat knot from the uncrossed starting position, the hands must be crossed at the end of the first throw in the
same direction as the strands listed above. ©2004 S.VanVoorst
 Two Hand Technique

Cross left Right hand takes top Left hand regrasps “Pistol” grip with left Left thumb rotated Left strand pulled into
over right. strand. strand. hand. medially. center of field.

“Reverse 4.” “Pinch.” Roll “pinch” toward Right strand placed in Push “pinch” Right hand grasps free end.
yourself. opened “pinch”. through loop.

Traction in a straight line. Cross right over “Pistol” grip with left Index finger laterally. Pronate left hand. “Reverse 4.”
left. hand.

“Pinch.” Push “pinch” away Place right strand in Roll “pinch” Right hand grasps free end. Seat knot securely.
from yourself. opened “pinch”. toward yourself. ©2004 S.VanVoorst
 One Hand Technique

Cross left Right hand takes top “Teacup” grip left hand. “Karate chop” left “Reverse 4”. “Exaggerate” tail of “4”.
over right. strand. strand.

Catch tail of “4” with Pin left strand between Pull left strand through Seat knot securely by Cross right
middle finger. third and fourth fingers. center of loop. traction in a straight line. over left.

“Teacup” grip with left Index finger laterally Left hand pronated. “Exaggerate” tail of “4”. Catch tail of “4” with
hand. under left strand. “Reverse 4”. index finger.

Left strand pulled through Left hand regrasps free end. Seat knot securely by traction
center of loop. in a straight line. ©2004 S.VanVoorst