Knots
Get yourself “The Book“, The knot tying “Bible” Ashley Book of Knots!
Start gathering some of the tools you’ll need.
Collect a small sample of ropes & lines to practice with.
Get Practicing! Start with your favourites!
- Basics & Terminology
- Knot Tools & Jigs
- Stopper Knots
- Bends
- Hitches
- Friction Hitches
- Loops
- Specialty
- Fishing Knots
- Webbing
- Discovering New Knots
Knots Basics & Terminology
Some basic knot books can really help, although it is now “Out-Dated”, the “Ashley Book of Knots” is a fantastic resource you should to add to your kit!
Knot Tools & Jigs
As soon as you start learning you’re going to want some special tools to help you work on knots. There’s good news though, most of the things you need will be on hand already! Look around, you’ll find things that work!
- Knives
- Marlinspikes
- Fids
- Kernmantle Splicing Tools
- Lacing Needles
- Knot Pricking Tools
- Knot Tighteners
- Sewing Needles
Camillus Marlinspike Knife
I like to work with ropes & lines so I always have a marlinspike, you can make one if you need to, out of a real spike or large nail.
If space is limited this Camillus folder might be a good choice.
Marlinspikes
Marlinspikes or Marlin Spikes as some would say are usually made of steel and in their “Heydays” were more commonly used on “Twisted Wire” however they have also found a home in knotwork done with all types of cordage!
This modern Marlinspike supplied by Grohman Knives, is small but efficient for working with Paracord & Utility Cordage of similar size or bigger. The slot in the handle is used as a “Shackle Key” to turn shackles on sailboat rigging!
Fids
Generally made of wood fir use in splicing twisted rope. A “Swedish Fid” adds a hollow center to make splicing easier!
On the Left we have an antique Apple Coring Tool that works great for splicing, in the center we have a commercial Swedish Fid & an Original Wooden Fid, finally on the right we have an old darning/sewing tool that also works great for splicing smaller rope!
Keep your eyes open and you’ll spot something that can be used!
This is actually an old Tulip Bulb Planting Tool, works great for really large ropes!
Kernmantle Splicing Tools
Special tools used for the splicing of kernmantle style ropes. Some of these can be homemade if needed.
Lacing Needles
Lacing needles are used to drag rope or line through a knot in the progress of being tied. Some of these tools can be homemade as well!
These 2 pictured above are “Paracord Lacing Needles” perfect for 3 – 4 mm cordage!
In the upper left you’ll see a special lacing needle used for smaller twine or thread!
Knot Pricking Tools
A small woodworking awl works great for this! Just like the name, it’s used to grab a section of line in a knot that is being formed allowing it to be tightened.
Choose one you like, keep it handy, your special knots will end up better dressed, tighter and more functional!
Look around the home, you’ll find something! I’ve even used and old fork!
Knot Tighteners
Similar to Pricking Tools but more about tightening specifically!
Coming Soon!
Sewing Needles
Hand whipping & sewing ropes is a skill lost in history, try it, it is very nice and adds to the security very well.
It’s easy to put together an extensive needle kit if you just keep adding to it whenever you see some interesting Needles like the sailmakers needles which are also great for leather!
Stopper Knots
- Single Overhand
- Double Overhand
- Triple Overhand
- Barrel Knots
- Figure 8
- Ashley / Oysterman
- Stevedore
Single Overhand Stopper Knot
The first we all learned probably, it happens to be a very important one too.
The single overhand stopper is excellent as a stopper knot because it is so easy to tie you can use it almost everywhere you can fit in a stopper knot. It’s also the beginnings of some other really important knots.
Double Overhand Stopper Knot
Wow! What a crappy picture of one of my favourite knots! The double overhand stopper is a really nice knot, feels great in the hand, does it’s job, easy to tie, shows a level of knowledge about knots.
Overhand stopper knots can cinch up so tight that you cannot get them untied, cutting the line is your only option.
Triple Overhand Stopper Knot
A little bigger than the double, the triple overhand stopper is a little more ornate, uses a little more rope but it also looks great and works very well.
Barrel Stopper Knot
Bigger than necessary but nice none the less. In my world anything after a triple gets called a barrel knot! It can be 4 wraps or more if you want. At this point it’s just starting to use more rope while delivering nothing extra.
Figure 8 Stopper Knot
This is nice but it’s not a favourite of mine, it seems just a little too flat, like it might slip through as a stopper. If you like it you can use it though.
Ashley / Oysterman Stopper Knot
Named for the “Father of Knot Tying” Clifford Ashley himself!
If you have any respect for Clifford Ashley, after all he contributed to the world of knot tying, then learn this knot. It’s flat, it’s wide enough, it’s small, easy to tie, functional & simple! Looks good too!
Stevedore Stopper Knot
For those of us that want to be different!!
You know you want to try this one? haha
Bends
- Granny Knot
- Reef Knot
- Single Fisherman’s Bend
- Double Fisherman’s Bend
- Triple Fisherman’s Bend
- Carrick Bend
- Single Sheet Bend
- Slippery Sheet Bend
- Double Sheet Bend
- Triple Sheet Bend
- Hunter’s Bend
- Riverman’s Bend
Granny Knot
Not just for grannies! Great for tying parcels or places where the 90 degree redirect is handy! Left over left & left over left! Easy as pie!
This knot is not very secure unless the running ends are under tension!
Reef Knot
Nice, symmetrical, easy knot that’s also not to secure. Spills to easily, especially with slick cordage!
I use this one when I use a rope to hold my pants up and also on a very important piece of gear, the “Swiss Seat”, usually backed up by half hitches on both sides.
Single Fisherman’s Bend
If you’re short of cordage then this will work but it’s not the best!
See below the “Single Fisherman’s Bend” in the wild, used on a Ridgeline Prusik!
Double Fisherman’s Bend
Whether it’s a stopper or a bend, the “Double Fish” is the way to go, looks good too!
Triple Fisherman’s Bend
Bigger than necessary but more attractive or ornate, it works but also uses more line.
Carrick Bend
Coming Soon!
Single Sheet Bend
I use this all the time, for utility purposes, not life saving at all! Easy to tie or untie!
Slippery Sheet Bend
An excellent choice for temporary utility work!
Double Sheet Bend
I also use this often! Easy to tie and secure, dresses up well. Great choice for different cordage sizes. Used for hauling line and more!
Triple Sheet Bend
This really shines in the way it dresses up so nice, very secure and easy to tie or untie!
Hunter’s Bend
Coming Soon!
Riverman’s Bend
This is very similar to a “Slippery Sheet Bend” except it has one extra wrap of the line. Quick and easy to tie for light utility purposes.
Hitches
- Siberian Hitch
- Marlinspike Hitch
- Trucker’s Hitch
- Round Turn & 2 Half Hitches
- Buntline Hitch
- Anchor Hitch
- Post Hitch
- Clove Hitch
- Clove Hitch with Stopper
- Spar Hitch
- Spar Hitch with Stopper
- Slippery Spar Hitch
- Constrictor Hitch
- Slippery Constrictor Hitch
- Double Constrictor Hitch
- Picket Line Hitch
- Boom Hitch
- Gripping Sailor’s Hitch
- Cow Hitch, Larkshead, Girth Hitch, Ring Hitch
- Bull Hitch
Siberian Hitch
A quick, easy to tie hitch, for hanging your pack up when you stop!
Marlinspike Hitch
This is a very important one guys, you need to know this! Makes a great handle for pulling and much more! You need to know this!
Seen here the “Marlinspike” has been replaced by a wooden toggle!
Trucker’s Hitch
Not just for trucker’s anymore, also for bushcrafters!
Learn how to use the trucker’s hitch and your tarp will be tight! Tight is right!
Round Turn & 2 Half Hitches
Fast and simple to learn.
Buntline Hitch
Coming Soon!
Anchor Hitch
Coming Soon!
Post Hitch
Coming Soon!
Clove Hitch
This is a “Must Know” knot! It’s actually a poor choice on it’s own but the knots that spawn from it just get better and better! Know this one for sure and you’ll know all the others easily.
Clove Hitch with Stopper
The stopper really adds a lot to this knot but it still falls short of “Good”.
Spar Hitch
Much better than the Clove Hitch and a much better option, far more secure and useful.
Spar Hitch with Stopper
When you need a secure hitch that’ll stay until you are sure you want to remove it!
Slippery Spar Hitch
When you need a secure hitch that’ll spill easily!
Constrictor Hitch
Very secure, great for times when you don’t want your rope back unless you cut it.
Slippery Constrictor Hitch
Secure and easy to tie. Use the “Slippery” variation if you want to be able to remove it!
Double Constrictor Hitch (AKA The Boa)
Use this on Permanent Installations ONLY!
You’ll probably need to cut this one off if you need to disconnect!
Picket Line Hitch
Coming Soon!
Boom Hitch
Coming Soon!
Gripping Sailor’s Hitch
Coming Soon!
Cow Hitch
Easy way to hang non-critical. lightweight gear like flashlights etc.
Bull Hitch
More secure than a Cow Hitch and almost as easy to tie!
I’m not sure what specific applications but the “Bull Hitch” is popular with climbers I think.
Friction Hitches
- Farrimond Friction Hitch
- Prusik Hitch
- Improved Prusik Hitch
- Tautline Hitch
- Magnus Hitch
- Midshipman’s Hitch
- Hedden Hitch
- Klemheist Hitch
- Blake’s Hitch
- Timber Hitch
Farrimond Friction Hitch
My choice for overall best guy-line hitch! Guys, this is easy to tie and way more secure than a Tautline Hitch! One handed quick release too!
Once people realize how good this hitch is they will be using it all the time!
Prusik Hitch
Everybody’s go to, friction hitch because it works! Here it is spotted on my tarp ridgelines!
This is a Bi-Directional friction hitch, meaning it will work equally well in either direction. It is commonly seen used in climbing as well as bushcraft.
Improved Prusik Hitch
This doesn’t change any of the Prusik Hitch characteristics, it just ensures that your hitches stay where you install them! No more looking for a hitch that slid to the other end of you ridgeline.
Coming Soon!
Tautline Hitch
In the wild! On the extreme left you can see a “Tautline Hitch” being used to hang this Hammock! The Hammock Anchor line goes through the Carabiner then hitches back to itself with a “Tautline Hitch” which is then backed up by a “Farrimond Hitch” on both ends of the Hammock! Works great!
The “Tautline Hitch” seems to have a background in scouting however it does not work as well with modern kernmantle type cordage, it slips easily with paracord etc. It’s is best used in specific applications on high friction cordage like natural fiber twisted rope.
IT works well with the Hammock Setup because it can remain “Tight” with tension being applied from both directions at the same time unlike some other hitches. I wonder if anyone has tried a 2 X 2 Tautline Hitch? Might be worth a try!
Magnus Hitch
Coming Soon!
Midshipman’s Hitch
Similar to the “Tautline Hitch” with one minor change, it appears to hold better than the Tautline?
Photos Coming Soon!
Hedden Hitch
Coming Soon!
Klemheist Friction Hitch (On a Tarp Hammock)
This is an excellent friction hitch when tying up the gathered end of a tarp to make a hammock out of it!
Blake’s Hitch
Coming Soon!
Timber Hitch
Called the “Timber Hitch” for a reason, easy to use and for hauling timber through the woods!
Add a handle to your cordage with a Marlinspike Hitch and you’re off.
Loops
- Overhand Loop on a Bite
- Figure 8 Loop on a Bite
- Alpine Butterfly
- Bowline
- Bowline on a Bite
- Zeppelin Loop
- Rigger’s Loop
- Artillery Loop
- Angler’s Loop
- Surgeon’s Loop
Overhand Loop on a Bite
When you just need a loop right now and you don’t need any screwing around, just get me a loop fast!
Figure 8 Loop on a Bite
A favourite among climbers, easy, safe, secure however it does need a bit of dressing so it’s snug!
Alpine Butterfly
The Alpine Butterfly is a great loop to learn, use by mountain climbers for a reason, easy to untie, secure and you can tie it in a bight in the middle of a line or near the end if needed.
Bowline
The “King of Knots”, a bowline is simple, useful as a loop, can also be used as a stopper and best of all, it’s easy to untie!
This one is displayed in the “Running Bowline Configuration”.
Bowline on a Bite
Need 2 loops easy? Try this one. Also easy to untie!
Zeppelin Loop
Coming Soon!
Rigger’s Loop
Coming Soon!
Artillery Loop
Coming Soon!
Angler’s Loop
Coming Soon!
Surgeon’s Loop
Coming Soon!
Specialty
Coming Soon!
- Bowyer’s Knot
- Canadian Jam Knot For Use in Tourniquets
- Conibear Safety Line
- Munter Friction Hitch for Rappel
- Swiss Seat – Emergency Harness
- Purcell Prusik – Adjustable Safety Lanyard
- Cleat Hitch For Watercraft & Boats
- Directional Figure 8 Loop
- Alberta Squirrel Knot
- Hennessy Hammock Lashing
Bowyer’s Knot
So you can attach your new bow string to your bow!
Canadian Jam Knot – Emergency Tourniquet
Like a “Ziptie” but spills with a simple pull!
Conibear Safety Line
Are you stuck in a powerful beaver trap! You need to know this if you are a beaver trapper!
Munter Friction Hitch – For Rappel
One of many, many friction hitches for rappelling, this one is easy.
Swiss Seat – Emergency Harness
Make a simple emergency harness out of one piece of rope and clip in, in 30 seconds or less!
Purcell Prusik – Adjustable Safety Lanyard
A personal anchor that is adjustable in length!
Check out this introductory video on the “Purcell Prusik”
Cleat Hitch For Watercraft & Boats
Tie up to the dock properly!
Directional Figure 8 Loop
When you need a directional figure 8 you’ll know it.
Alberta Squirrel Knot
For snare wire when used for snaring squirrels and other small animals.
Hennessy Hammock Lashing
My Way as Follows.
I tried using “Dual Friction Hitches” and this is now my preferred method. A Tautline Hitch backed up with a Farrimond Friction Hitch! I think I might add a “Round Turn Without the Half Hitches” as well!
A special but easy way to adjust and lock your Hennessy Hammock!
Fishing Knots
Coming Soon!
- Clinch Knot
- Improved Clinch Knot
- Double Improved Clinch Knot
- Uniknot
- Double Uniknot
- Palomar Knot
- Blood Knot
- Surgeon’s Knot
- Bimini Twist
- Snell Knot
Webbing
- Water Knot
- Beer Knot
Water Knot
For connecting two pieces of webbing. Also called the “Death Knot”. Webbing slips easily!
Beer Knot
Coming Soon!
Discovering New Knots!
Here are a couple of pictures of a “New” Bend that I discovered about 20 years ago one day while I was practicing. Not sure if it qualifies for a new name but I can’t seem to find it in Ashley’s Book anywhere. Maybe …..
You can discover a new knot too! Give it a try!
You Don’t Need to Know That Many! Just Pick The Ones That You Need!
Mike