Hey Blog! This week I’m going to try not to tie you all up in knots!
A not is knot just – sorry, restart – a knot is not just any old twist of rope. Knotsmithing is an art. You have to have the knowledge of what secures the rope to something else, and while most people can do the overhand and reef, that’s about as far as it gets. All Scouts should be able to do the reef knot at least, considering it features on the World Scout Badge. However, some people take it a little further, and learn more advanced knots. Then you get on to really top-class knots, which I’m still working on. I have a small but effective knot vocabulary, to which I occasionally add new ones. Last week I learnt the Turk’s Head and the Rolling Hitch, for example.
As for why I like knots, it’s because it’s versatile, being both a crucial survival skill and a decorative pastime; it’s a good way to show a bit of skill; and most of all, it’s really fun!
A collection of my knots – what kind of knot and what they’re used for:
Beginner’s level
- Reef knot – one of the most basic and yet useful. Used when safety is not paramount but you need to tie something up (parcels, etc.). Named by sailors because they used it for reefing sails.
- Sheet bend – another useful bend, or joining knot. Another one with a nautical name – sailors tied sheets (ropes attached to sails) with it. Use in similar circumstances to reef, but maybe more secure and more show-off.
- Clove hitch – a simple hitch (attachment knot). Not vital safety, but good for lashing sticks together over the campfire.
- Round turn and two half-hitches – another hitch, also useful, for tying boats up among other things.
- Figure-of-8 – an elegant stopper knot. Generally nice to know.
- Shoe bow – you tie your shoelaces loads of times over your life – unless you’re a Velcro person. I’m a shoelace person. I also found a better way to tie, with two bands instead of one over the two loops. This has prevented me from having to retie them five times on one walk.
Intermediate level
- Carrick bend – a more decorative and secure ‘bend’ knot. Again, can be used as a substitute for reef knot situations.
- Bowline – indispensable, lifesaver, non-binding noose, and top knot to know. Use for clifftop rescues, poaching, tree climbing, and more.
- Poacher’s noose – a knot for capturing things. Not necessary unless you’re hunting for survival, but good for pranking trick-or-treaters!
- Fisherman’s knot – a bend that joins two ropes in a knot that will outlast the rope itself. Mostly used in climbing as a Prusik knot.
- Slip knot – Binding noose. Similar to Hangman’s noose, but I won’t go into that. More sedately used in casting on while knitting.
- Square & Tripod Lashings – knots to join poles together. One forms a cross (Square), the other joins three side-by-side. Good for picture frames, or cooking pots.
- Various types of quick-releasing hitch – all for quickly untying any horse, boat, or other suspect getaway vehicle, or releasing traps from the ceiling.
- Rolling hitch – a knot that doesn’t slide along another rope. I learnt this one today and am rather proud of it. Used when towing boats, etc.
Advanced level
- Monkey’s Fist – one of the top knots for bragger’s rights, used in keyrings, heave-lines, stoppers, and for whacking things with a rope ball. Takes a while to tighten. Much easier with large, stiffer rope.
- Turk’s Head – used for woggles, paracord poppies and decorative bands. Rather complex but really beautiful and obvious once you get it.
- Alpine Butterfly Loop – a climber’s knot for ziplines, harness attachments, and highwire antics. Maybe a bit tricky, but very elegant.
Clockwise from top left: Sheet bend, Figure of 8, Carrick Bend, Poacher’s Noose, Bowline, Monkey’s Fist, Turk’s Head, Reef Knot, Alpine Butterfly Loop, Rolling Hitch, Fisherman’s Knot.
Now that I’ve informed you about a few knots, you might like to try your own – it’s remarkably satisfying. And who knows, if you get yourself in a situation when the Air Ambulance has to rescue you, at least you know how to tie yourself onto the winch. I recommend 50 knots you need to know, by Marty Allen – this book has taught me a good few. It’s one of the most valuable life skills, and one of the most enjoyable.