Stopper Knots
- For binding the ends of a rope.
- For preventing a rope from slipping through a hole / knot.
- For weighting a rope for throwing.
- For providing handhold for gripping, e.g. tied at regular intervals of lifelines to prevent rope from slipping through hands.
- Thumb Knot/ Overhand Knot
- Figure of Eight Knot
1. Thumb Knot
- Also known as the overhand knot, the thumb knot is a simple and useful stopper knot.
Steps:
- Make a loop near the end of the rope.
- Pass the running end through the loop.
- Draw tightly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkadvVPANis
Uses:
Uses:
- Stop a rope end from fraying temporarily
- Use in clove hitch when tying lashings to prevent lashings from loosening.
Once it is tied and put under strain, it is difficult to untie. - When tied at the end or standing part of a rope, this knot prevents it from sliding through a block, hole, or another knot.
- To increase a person's grip on a rope.
2. Figure of Eight Knot
- A stopper or end knot.
- From this knot, a double figure of eight knot can be tied, which is primarily used in securing harnesses in rock climbing and height activities
Steps:
- Form a loop near the end of the rope, bringing the short end over the long rope.
- Pass the short end as shown by arrow, and carry it over through the loop.
- Pull it up tightly
(Another method)
- Form a bight with the rope.
- Twist the bight 3600
- Pass the working end through the loop formed and pull both ends to tighten.
Uses:
- To prevent a line from slipping through a hole, e.g. pulley.
- To prevent things from slipping off a rope.
- Easier to untie compared to thumb knot.
Hitches
- Used when tying ropes to other objects, most commonly spars
- Clove Hitch
- Half Hitch
- Timber Hitch
- Round Turn and 2 Half Hitches
- Marlinspike Hitch
1. Clove Hitch
- Being the most commonly used hitch, the clove hitch is used in all lashings, tent pitching, as well as flagstaff erection.
Steps: (Method 1-Tying over an object that is opened at one end)
- Make 2 loops, both with the left end underneath the right end.
- Overlap each other.
- Insert over object and pull.
Steps: (Method 2-Tying over an object that is not opened at either end.)
- Make one turn of the rope round the object, overlapping each other.
- Make another turn round the object and pass the end of the rope in between the cross.
Uses:
- Fastening a rope to a spar, rail, rope or similar fittings.
- Often used to start and finish most types of lashings in gadget making and pioneering.
It can be tied using the end or the middle of the rope. - Making rope ladders.
2. Half Hitch
- The half hitch is not commonly used individually, but to form parts of other knots.
Steps:
- Form a loop with the working end above the standing end.
- Pass the working end through the loop created.
- Pull the working end upwards, in a direction alongside the standing end.
Uses:
- Primarily used to help secure the tension in other knots. E.g. Tent Guy Loop, Round Turn and 2 Half Hitches
3. Timber Hitch
- The timber hitch is used in diagonal lashing and can be used to secure a rope to various objects, especially when there is great strain.
Steps:
- Make a turn around the pole.
- Bend the running end of the rope round the standing end.
- Twist the running end 2 to 3 times around the rope.
- Pull the standing end to tighten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TT1IcEYPY
Uses:
Uses:
- Adjustable hitch that is used for lifting or dragging heavy objects like logs.
- Tying pieces of firewood or spars etc. together.
The greater the strain, the tighter the hitch
Bends
- Bends are knots used to tie 2 ropes, be it of similar or different thicknesses, together.
- Reef Knot
- Sheet Bend
- Fisherman's Knot
1. Reef Knot
- Also known as square knot, this knot is made up of 2 overhand knots, and is used to join 2 ropes of equal thickness.
- This knot can easily be remembered with the phrase of “left over right, right over left” or vice versa, with the directions referring to which end of the rope is over which.
Steps:
- Pass the right-hand running end over and under the left-hand running end. (Much like tying a Thumb Knot)
- Bring the two running ends together.
- Pass the left-hand running end over and under the right-hand running end.
- Draw tight.
- It makes no difference whether the first crossing is tied left-over-right or right-over-left as long as the second crossing is tied opposite to the first crossing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aprfVTaxkk0
Uses:
Uses:
- Tying two ropes of equal size together so they will not slip.
The reef knot will not hold if the ropes are wet or if they are of different sizes.
It tightens under strain but can be untied by grasping the ends of the two bights and pulling the knot apart.
2. Sheet Bend
- The sheet bend serves to join 2 ropes of unequal thicknesses.
Steps:
- Make a loop with the thicker rope.
- Pass through the end of the thinner rope through this loop.
- Pass this round the standing and running end of the thicker rope from the right.
- Tuck under the same rope.
The thinner rope must always jam into the thicker rope, or it will be pulled out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3reZ3NuGaQ
Uses:
Uses:
- Joining ropes of unequal thickness.
- Tying a rope to a loop.
3. Fisherman's Knot
- The fisherman’s knot is used to secure 2 ropes of equal thicknesses together.
Steps:
- Lay the two ropes side by side.
- Tie a thumb knot to the other rope using the running end. Do the same for the other side.
- Pull to tighten the knots.
Make sure the 2 ends face outward. (Facing away from jamming ends)
If done correctly, one of the ends will face left while the other end faces right.
- To join 2 ropes of equal thickness together, especially if the ropes are of smooth or wet materials, e.g. fishing line
Loops
- These knots are able to create loops, temporary or otherwise, and can be found in tents or flagstaffs.
- Slip Knot
- Bowline
- Manharness
- Tent Guy Loop
1. Slip Knot
- The slip knot creates an adjustable loop in the rope and can only remain when there is tension on the loop. The slip knot can easily be undone by pulling both ends of the rope.
Steps:
- Make a round turn with the rope, with the working end below the standing end.
- Form a loop with the working end.
- The loop should cross over the standing end to pass into the loop created by the round turn. Ensure that only the loop passes through, and not the whole working end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NcOewm7qAA
Uses:
Uses:
- Part of the tent guy loop used in tent-pitching and flagstaff erection.
- Part of the chain knot used in shortening bootlaces and ropes.
- Provides a loop that can be easily tied and untied.
2. Bowline
- Called the king of knots, it is the best way of making a temporary eye at the end of a rope that will not jam or slip even when wet. The bowline can also be easily untied.
Steps:
- Form an overhand loop.
- Pass the running end through the loop, round the standing end and back down into the loop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIdsTZTUl6E
Uses:
Uses:
- A rescue knot, used in first aid and lifesaving. In Lifesaving, the knot is tied by the rescuer around the victim's body, with the standing end being held by a third person(s) on land/boat.
- In tent-pitching to secure the twine from the inner and outer sheets to the tent pegs.
- For extra security, tie a stopper knot or 2 half hitches around the loop.
3. Tent Guy Loop
- The tent-guy loop is an essential part of tent pitching and flagstaff erection, used in securing the spars of sheets to the pegs. A tent guy loop consists of a slip knot and is secured using multiple half hitches.
Steps:
- Tie a slip knot on the rope.
- Run the working end under the peg and through the slip knot. Pull the rope towards the peg.
- When the rope has been pulled to sufficient tension, cross the working end over the peg again, and secure with half hitches. Ensure that as many half hitches as possible are tied to portions of the loop that overlap one another (as opposed to tying above the slip knot), to ensure that the loop is as secured as possible.
Uses:
- For tent pitching and flagstaff erection.
Adjustable loop that can act as a pulley, giving mechanical advantage in the tightening of guylines.
Knots for Shortening
- These knots are able to shorten the length of the rope, and can easily be untied
- Sheepshank
- Chain Knot
1. Sheepshank
- The sheepshank knot is a simple knot used to shorten a rope under tension and to overcome weak points from strains in a rope.
Steps:
- Make 3 loops.
- Bend the left and right loops with running ends facing inward.
- Insert fingers into left and right loops to pull the sides of the middle loop out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEXVytGNzVY
Uses:
Uses:
- To shorten long ropes instead of cutting them.
- Prevent strains on worn-out parts of a rope.
The strains are taken by the tightening end of the sheepshank.
2. Chain Knot
- The chain knot is used in shortening ropes and more commonly used to shorten bootlaces of male cadets
Steps:
- Form a slip knot on the rope.
- Maintaining a hold on the standing end, make a loop with the working end and let it pass through the loop of the slip knot. *Ensure that not the whole of the working end goes through the loop. Only the loop you made should pass through.
- Adjust and tighten the knot and another loop should be seen. Step 2 – 3 is to be repeated until rope or lace is of ideal length.
Uses:
- For shortening of ropes with a pleasant looking knot.
- For shortening of bootlaces.
Lashings
- Commonly used for pioneering/gadget projects
- Round Lashing
- Square Lashing
- Diagonal Lashing
- Gyn Lashing
- Sheer Lashing
1. Round Lashing
- A round lashing is used to secure 2 spars together to produce a longer one.
Steps:
- Tie a clove hitch to the 2 spars.
Secure with an overhand knot as a stopper knot. - Unlike sheer lashing, the round turns must be tightly pulled because no frapping is required.
- End with a clove hitch on the same 2 spars and an overhand knot to secure it.
Uses:
- Joining several short spars to make a longer one. E.g. flagstaff.
2. Square Lashing
- A square lashing is used to secure 2 spars at right angles apart from each other.
Steps:
- Tie a clove hitch on 1 of the spars.
- Turn the running end round the spars several times, following the in-out-in-out sequence, as shown in diagram.
- Frap between the spars for at least 3 rounds.
- End with a clove hitch on the other spar.
Uses:
- To secure 2 spars crossing and contacting each other at right angles in order to prevent the tendency for the spars to slip over each other under heavy load
3. Diagonal Lashing
- The diagonal lashing also secures spars at an angle, but this angle is not right-angled.
Steps:
- Tie a timber hitch across the diagonal of the spars.
- Start the wrapping at a direction opposing of the timber hitch.
- Make a turn around a spar and continue the turns in the new direction.
- Frap between the spars for at least 3 rounds.
- End with a clove hitch on one of the spars to secure it.
Uses:
- To join 2 spars crossing and contacting each other at any angle between 45 degrees to 90 degrees
4. Gyn Lashing
- The gyn lashing is used to bind 3 or more spars together.
Steps:
- Tie a clove hitch on the first spar.
- Tie the rope alternately over and under.
- Make a turn about 1st or last spar before frapping.
- Frap at least 3 rounds in between every spar.
- End with a clove hitch.
Uses:
- Used to join 3 or more spars together.
- Lashing 3 spars together to forms a tripod.
- Lashing many spars/poles together to forms a raft.
5. Sheer Lashing
- The shear lashing is similar to the round lashing but is commonly used for crooked spars
Steps:
- Tie a clove hitch to one of the poles.
Tie an overhand knot at the end of the rope to prevent the clove hitch from loosening. - Turn the rope round the poles.
- Frap between the spars for at least 3 rounds.
- End with a clove hitch on the other pole.
Tie an overhand knot to secure it.
Uses:
- Joining several short spars to make one long one.
- Used to hold crooked spars.
- When spars are opened out, it acts as a pair of shear legs for raising structures up.
1. Round Turn and 2 Half Hitches
- This hitch can be used to secure a heavy load or spar, ring or shackle such as the buoy shackle of a mooring buoy. It will never jam and can be cast off quickly.
Steps:
- Make 2 turns around the spar.
- Make 2 hitches by using the running end to make 2 turns on the standing end, leaving a gap in between.
- End by tying the standing and running end together using another rope.
2. Marlinspike Hitch
- This hitch is simple to tie and is used to secure individual spars when there is tension.
Steps:
- Form a loop, with the working end underneath the standing end.
- Place the spar on the loop.
- Let the working end go over the spar and through the loop. Pull both ends to secure.
Uses:
- Used in nautical activities.
- Making a rope ladder
- The manharness can be easily tied and secured to a spar. It provides a loop that can be tied at any point on a rope.
Steps:
- Create a round turn with the rope and flip it to rest on one end of the rope, as shown in the diagram below. A rough shape of a circle/ 2 semicircles should be formed.
- Taking the part of the rope forming the base of the circle, pass it through the top half semicircle and pull. A loop should be formed, as seen below.
Uses:
- Loop can act as a handle for hauling of objects.
- Provides an alternative to tie a loop in the middle of a rope instead of the end.
- Used at the top of flagstaffs for the flag line to pass through so as to raise the flag.
