How To Tie Knots | Ways To Tie Different Types of Knots

Why learn how to tie knots? This useful skill is handy around the homestead and could even help save your life one day!

10 Practical Knots You Need To Know How To Tie

Over the centuries, knot tying has been passed down from generation to generation. It's an important skill whether you want to hit the high oceans, scale a high mountain, or live a simple life living off grid. Tying knots prove to be useful when you're working around your homestead. Unfortunately, there are still numerous people who don't know how to tie knots. So today we will explore the art of tying knots and master this amazing yet underrated skill.

Source: Fix.com Blog

A special shout out to Fix.com for this amazing infographic.

 

Tying The Knot

A Guide to Knots for Boating, Camping, and Fishing

 

Camping Knots

Bowline

Directions:

1. Form a small loop on the end of the rope.
2. Pass the free end of the line through the loop, bring around behind the line.
3. Bring free end down in the original loop while maintaining the secondary loop, which will become the bowline loop.
4. Pull end up to tighten.

Uses:

1. Creates a loop at the end of a rope that won’t shrink, slip, or expand
2. Securing a trap
3. Mountain climbing

Clove Hitch

Directions:

1. Make a loop of rope around the tree.
2. Make another loop and pass the free end of the rope under the second loop.
3. Tighten.

Uses:

1. Securing a line to a tree or post quickly; may slip if other knots are not used to back it up.
2. Fasten a shelter together.

 Square Knot

Directions:

1. Lap right over left.
2. Tie again in reverse direction—left over right.

Uses:

1. Tying Bandages
2. Tying packages
3. Joining sections of survival cordage
4. Tying shorter ropes together
5. Tying a bundle of firewood

 

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Fishing Knots

Blood Knot

Directions:

1. Overlap end of lines to be joined. Twist one around the other 5 times. Bring end back between two lines.
2. Repeat with the other end, wrapping in opposite direction.
3. Slowly pull lines in opposite directions. Turns will gather. Clip ends close to a knot.

Uses:

1. To secure to fishing lines together
2. Used frequently in fly fishing

The Improved Clinched Knot

Directions:

1. Thread line through eye of hook. Wrap around line 5 or more times.
2. Bring the end of the line through the first loop, then behind the eye, then through the large loop.
3. Pull on end to tighten the coils. Slide tight against the eye.

Uses:

1. One of the most important fishing knots
2. Secures hooks, lures, and swivels in line

Palomar Knot

Directions:

1. Double 6 inches of line and pass it through eye of the hook.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot with hook hanging from bottom.
3. Pass the loop over the hook. Slide loop above eye of the hook.
4. Pull on both ends to tighten down onto eye. Clip end.

Uses:

1. Securing a hook/swivel to fishing line
2. Fastening a fly to a leader

 

Hiking Knots

Sheet Bend

Directions:

1. Bend the thicker/more slippery rope into a “J” shape or fish hook.
2. Pass the other rope through the fish hook from behind.
3. Wrap around the entire fish hook once.
4. Tuck the smaller line under itself.

Uses:

1. Joining two ropes with different diameters together

Taut Line Hitch

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Directions:

1. Wrap rope around a post or tree several feet from the free end.
2. Coil the free end twice around the standing line, working back toward the post.
3. Make one coil around the standing line on the outside of the coils just made.
4. Tighten the knot and slide it to adjust the tension.

Uses:

1. Anchor a tent
2. Grips well when taut

Two Half Hitches

Directions:

1. Wrap around pole/tree.
2. Wrap around the line in the same direction twice.
3. Pull tight.

Uses:

1. Secures line to trees, poles, or rock

 

Sailing Knots

Fisherman’s/Anchor Knot

Directions:

1. Wrap twice around shackle.
2. Pass end behind the standing line and through the first turns. Pull tight.
3. Tie a half hitch around the standing line. Pull tight.
4. Seize the free end.

Uses:

1. Secure rode to anchor.
2. Secure line to post

Figure 8

Directions:

1. Pass the free end of a line over itself to form a loop.
2. Continue under and around the line’s end.
3. Pass the free end down through the loop.

Uses:

1. Stopper knot at the end of rope
2. necessary to tie several harder knots

Carrick Bend [Sailor’s Knot]

Directions:

1. Form a basic loop with the larger size rope(red rope illustration and lay loop on top of and across working end of second rope.
2. Remember sequence: over, under, over, under, over.
3. Ends come out on opposite sides of the knot.
4. Seize ends to the standing parts of the ropes.

Uses:

1. Joins two ropes together (i.e. towing hawsers and cables)
2. Easier to untie than a square knot.

Knots, though small, give the extra support you need for many of your favorite outdoor activities. Master these basic knots today!

 

These are just the basics of the many ways to tie knots. However, under any circumstances, you’ll find these essential, whether for a simple task in your homestead, enjoying outdoor activities, or many other scenarios you’ll find knowing how to tie knots useful. Thus, learning how to tie knots is a must-learn skill for everyone, homesteader or not, as life will present many unanticipated challenges.

Will you now master the skill of tying knots? Let us know in the comments section below!

Want more useful projects about knots? Check out Paracord projects here! You'll find useful paracord knots and ideas that can provide a lot of help around your homestead. 

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