Tying the Knot
A Guide to Tying Knots For Every Occasion
Knowing a range of knots is a good way to untangle yourself from tricky situations in the great outdoors. A good repertoire of knots is also every sailor or angler's way of proving they are worth their salt.
Most of the time, however, you’re only going to need to know a couple of knots really well, and be able to tie them every time without slipping up. The infographic below will give you a list of must-have knots for various situations, and best practices for tying them perfectly every time.
You may need to tie a rope to a tree, you may need to lash something up, or bind two ropes together. Knots serve different purposes and excel in different situations for various reasons. From sailing to mountain climbing, your backyard or the backwoods, knowing three or four knots that do different tasks well is always for the best.
If you’re into camping and want to know the best way to hang your food out of reach of bears, we’ve got the answer! Instead of randomly half-hitching your way through the task, try a clove-hitch, and ensure your food won’t slide around the branch when the wind blows your incorrect bowline attempt towards the tree trunk, within reach of woodland beasts.
Many knots go way beyond their original intended designs, and can be used in so many situations. A sheet bend is a climbing knot that can be incredibly useful at home. The knot is designed to tie two ropes of different thickness together. Many knots would slip up here, but the sheet bend uses each rope’s strength to hold itself, rather than friction from the intricate design of the two ropes, as seen in most knots. Learn how to become a knot master with the key to tying this knot and many others!
