Knowing how to tie simple rope knots can be pretty helpful for homeowners. Rope knots
can help in many different scenarios, like tying up a hammock, hanging clothes, securing a
load on a bakkie, or safely fastening tree branches before cutting. It's crucial to know how
to tie the appropriate knots if you want to get the most out of your rope and to be safe.
We'll go through the top 5 fundamental rope knots that every homeowner needs to know,
as well as how to tie each one.
1. Square knot (joining to the end of a single line to bind around an object)
Also known as a reef knot, it is used to join the ends of a rope. It's a straightforward knot
that's simple to tie and untie, making it ideal for fastening a load on a bakkie or tying up a bundle of firewood.
Step 1: Simply put one end of the rope over the other to form the knot.
Step 2: Next, take the end on top and cross it over the end at the bottom by tying them
together.
Step 3: Repeat the process with the other end of the rope and pull the knot tightly once
more.
2. Clove hitch (for securing lines running along a series of posts)
Also called a builder's knot or a ratline hitch, this knot is used to secure a rope to a post or
a tree.
Step 1: Wrap one end of the rope around the post.
Step 2: Grab the rope's end and wrap it around the other.
Step 3: Tuck the ropes end under the final wrap.
This results in a secure knot that is simple to unravel.
3. Bowline knot (fixing a loop at the end of a line)
A dependable and secure loop that is easy to tie and untie. The Bowline is most commonly
used at the end of a line to form a fixed loop, large or small. However, because it is so
easily untied, it should not be trusted in a life-or-death situation. It is said to keep 60% of
the strength of the line it is tied to.
Step 1: With the free end of the rope hanging down, lay it across your left hand and make
a small loop in the line.
Step 2: Bring the free end up to and through the eye from the underside and then wrap the
line around the standing line and through the loop again.
Step 3: Tighten the knot by pulling on the free end of the line while holding the standing
line.
4. Sheet Bend (for connecting lines)
Consider a sheet bend to be the ideal rope-extension knot. A sheet bend is strong, simple
to tie and untie, and especially useful when working with lines that vary in thickness.
Step 1: Start by creating a bend in the thicker rope's end.
Step 2: Pull the thinner rope end through the loop.
Step 3: Make a loop in the thinner rope by wrapping the end of the thinner rope under both
pieces of the thicker rope.
Step 4: Pull the two ropes' standing parts in opposite directions until they are taut.
5. Two Half Hitches (for tying off)
This knot is useful for tying a rope to a branch, ladder rungs, or other ropes. A single half hitch isn't much on its own, but tie two together and you've got a loop that, unlike a bowline, will tighten around an object. Once tied, this knot can be difficult to untie, but note that tying more than two hitches does not strengthen the knot.
Step 1: Wrap the rope around the object and loop it around the standing part.
Step 2: Make another loop around the rope's standing part and then snug up the two half
hitches until they are tight.
Now you know the steps in tying the top 5 fundamental rope knots. Give it a go, and tag Overberg Arborists on Instagram and Facebook; let us know how it went.