BOY SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Introduction to Knots and Knot tying

Knots are divided into broad categories such as hitches and bends. Collectively we just call them all
knots. However, the correct terminology is useful and worth learning:

 Bend: joins two ropes or fishing lines, e.g., Sheet bend

 Bight: In knot tying, a bight is a curved section or slack part between the two ends of a rope,
string or yarn. “Any section of lune that is bent into a U-Shape is a bight.”
 Loop: Made when a rope forms a partial circle with the ends crossing each other.
 Standing End: The long end – the part not knotted. The standing part lies between the standing
end and the knot.
 Stopper knot: A knot in the end of a rope – used to prevent fraying or to prevent the end
passing through a hole.
 Tail: The short end – the part getting knotted.

Rope can be dangerous. Wrongly handled, gripped, or tied, rope can kill, maim, or burn. Handle rope
with care, inspect and test any knot you tie, and respect any rope especially when it is subject to a heavy
load.

The main uses of knots:

1. KNOTS FOR JOINING

2. TYING ROPES TO OBJECTS
3. KNOTS FOR LOOPS
4. END KNOTS
KNOTS FOR JOINING
These knots are used for tying two rope ends together: sometimes the ends of the same rope;
sometimes the ends of different ropes.

1. SQUARE KNOT
It is composed of two overhand knots turned in opposite ways, it flattens when pulled tight,
making it useful for first-aid and for tying packages. Can be used to join two ropes. You can
loosen the square knot easily by either pushing the ends toward the knot or by “upsetting” the
knot by pulling back on one and pulling the other through the loops.

STEPS:

1.1 GRANNY KNOT

An incorrect version of a square knot in which the bights cross each other in the wrong
direction next to the end, so as to produce a knot that is insecure.

STEPS:

2. SHEET BEND
It is an important knot for joining two rope ends, especially if the ropes are of different sizes.

STEPS:
TYING ROPES TO OBJECTS
Knots that are used for attaching ropes to things like poles or rings are called hitches. They are
important in camping and all types of pioneering work.

3. HALF HITCH
The half hitch is a simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and
under the standing part.

STEPS:

3.1 TWO-HALF HITCH

STEPS:

4. SLIP KNOT
This knot is not satisfactory as two half hitches because, unless strain is put on it, it may slide,
especially on a vertical object like a post. Basically, it is an overhand knot around the starting
part. It will be more secure if a stopper knot, like a simple overhand knot or figure of eight, is
tied in the end of the rope.

STEPS:
 5. CLOVE HITCH
This is one of the most widely used knots. Because it passes around an object in only one
direction, it puts very little strain on the rope fibers.

6. TAUT-LINE HITCH
Is an adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. It is useful when the length of
a line will need to be periodically adjusted in order to maintain tension.

KNOTS FOR LOOPS

These knots are used to hold loops – either permanent or “running” like a cowboy’s lariat. The bowline
and its variations are important for rescue work and onboard ship where they have scores of uses.

7. BOWLINE
The bowline has been called the king of knots. It will never slip or jam if properly made and thus,
is excellent for tying around a person in a rescue.

STEPS:
END KNOTS

Knots in this group are most often used to prevent slipping. They may be tied in either the end or
standing part of the rope to check it from sliding through a block, hole, or part of another knot. They
may be used temporarily to stop fraying when a rope is not whipped.

8. FIGURE OF EIGHT KNOT

Often used is such places as the end of a string when tying a package with a slipknot or in the
end of a rope forming a lariat knot.

STEPS:

9. OVERHAND KNOT
An overhand knot is simple. You can use it to keep a rope from going through a pulley, a hole, or
to make a rope easier to grip. An overhand knot is also the first step for some other knots. It is
also the most common knot.

STEPS: