Knot of the day · Knot Atlas

Italian Hitch

2026-10-28T00:00:00-07:00

A hitch on a carabiner or bar that lets rope run under control. Both strands leave on the same side of the bar, and the rope rubs on itself and the bar. It reverses neatly: pull the other strand and the hitch flips through the bar and runs the other way.

The loaded strand comes up to the bar.
Take it over the bar and round, as for a cow hitch.
Bring it across the front, over one leg and under the other.
Round the bar again: both strands now leave on the same side.
Hold the free strand to control the rope as it runs round the bar.

Seven-Strand Flat Braid

2026-10-27T00:00:00-07:00

A flat braid of 7 strands. Alternately from the left and the right, the outermost strand is brought to the middle, passing over and under the strands on its way.

Bind the strands together at the top and spread them flat. Bring the outer left strand to the middle, over-under the strands it passes.
Now the outer right strand to the middle, the same way. Then left again, then right.
Carry on alternating. Pull each strand snug as it reaches the middle.
Bind the strands together at the end.

Two Half Hitches

2026-10-26T00:00:00-07:00

A turn through a ring or round a post, then two half hitches round the standing part, both the same way. Together the half hitches form a clove hitch on the standing part.

Pass the end through the ring from front to back.
Bring it down behind the standing part.
Bring it round to the front.
First half hitch: round the standing part and across over itself.
Second half hitch, the same way, below the first. Tuck the end under.
Slide the hitches up to the ring and pull them snug.

Constrictor Knot

2026-10-25T00:00:00-07:00

A clove hitch with an extra tuck, which locks the two ends under the crossing turn. It grips a round object so hard that it often has to be cut off.

Bring the working end across the front of the post.
Take it round behind the post and back to the front, above the standing part.
Cross it diagonally over the first turn and round behind the post again.
Bring the end to the front, over the standing part and under the diagonal. The two ends now cross under it.
Pull both ends hard. The diagonal clamps the crossing underneath it.

Square Knot

2026-10-24T00:00:00-07:00

A flat binding knot for tying the two ends of one cord round something: a parcel, a bandage, a reefed sail. It lies flat and comes undone easily. Here it is shown as two interlocked bights, one in each end, so you can see how it is built.

Make a bight in the left-hand end (yellow). Its short leg is the working end.
Bring the blue end in from the right, over the curve of the yellow bight and under its lower leg.
Take it round outside the narrow neck of the yellow bight, over both yellow legs.
Bring it back under the upper yellow leg and out over the curve, beside its own standing part.
Pull all four parts evenly. Both parts of each rope lie side by side and come out on the same side.

Four-Strand Flat Braid

2026-10-23T00:00:00-07:00

A flat braid of 4 strands. Alternately from the left and the right, the outermost strand is brought to the middle, passing over and under the strands on its way.

Bind the strands together at the top and spread them flat. Bring the outer left strand to the middle, over-under the strands it passes.
Now the outer right strand to the middle, the same way. Then left again, then right.
Carry on alternating. Pull each strand snug as it reaches the middle.
Bind the strands together at the end.

Sheer Lashing

2026-10-22T00:00:00-07:00

Lashes two poles side by side, to lengthen a pole or to make sheer legs (an A-frame). Start with a clove hitch, wrap round both poles, tighten with frapping turns between them, finish with a clove hitch.

Tie a clove hitch round one pole.
Wrap the rope round both poles, six or more turns, working along them. Keep the turns snug and side by side.
Take two frapping turns between the poles, round the lashing turns, and pull them hard.
Finish with a clove hitch round the other pole.
Check that the poles cannot slide against each other.

Improved Clinch Knot

2026-10-21T00:00:00-07:00

A clinch knot with one extra tuck: after going through the small loop by the eye, the end goes back through the big loop it has just made. The tuck stops the knot slipping in thin or slippery line.

Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook.
Bring it back up alongside the line.
Twist the end round the line five times, working away from the hook.
Bring the end back down and through the small loop just above the eye.
Then tuck it back through the big loop you have just made.
Wet it and pull the line steadily so the twists close onto the eye. Trim the end.

Figure-Eight Knot

2026-10-20T00:00:00-07:00

The standard stopper. It is bulkier than the Overhand, harder to pull through a hole, and it can usually be undone even after a heavy load. Its shape makes it easy to check at a glance.

Hold the standing part at the top. The working end hangs below and does all the moving.
Bring the end up and across the standing part to make a loop.
Carry the end on round, behind the standing part.
Bring it back down through the first loop.
Pull the end and the standing part apart to draw the knot into its figure-eight shape.

Two Half Hitches

2026-10-19T00:00:00-07:00

A turn through a ring or round a post, then two half hitches round the standing part, both the same way. Together the half hitches form a clove hitch on the standing part.

Pass the end through the ring from front to back.
Bring it down behind the standing part.
Bring it round to the front.
First half hitch: round the standing part and across over itself.
Second half hitch, the same way, below the first. Tuck the end under.
Slide the hitches up to the ring and pull them snug.

Figure-Eight Loop

2026-10-18T00:00:00-07:00

A Figure-Eight Knot tied in a doubled rope. It makes a strong fixed eye that is easy to check by eye, which is why climbers use it.

Double the end of the rope into a long bight. You tie with the doubled rope.
Bring the bight up and across the doubled standing part to make a loop.
Carry it on round, behind the standing part.
Bring it back down through the first loop.
Pull the bight through to make the eye. Dress every strand so it runs parallel.
Hold the eye and pull each of the four strands in turn to set the knot.

Surgeon’s Knot

2026-10-17T00:00:00-07:00

A square knot with an extra twist in the first half. The double twist grips while you tie the second half, so the knot does not loosen in between.

Cross the two ends and twist them round each other twice.
Pull the double twist snug: it holds by itself.
Cross the ends the opposite way and twist them once.
Pull all four ends to tighten.

Bowline with Stopper

2026-10-16T00:00:00-07:00

A bowline with its tail tied in an overhand knot round the leg of the eye beside it, so the bowline cannot shake loose when it is not loaded.

Tie a bowline: the standing part runs up.
Make the small loop.
Form the eye.
Up through the small loop.
Round behind the standing part.
Back down through the small loop.
Take the tail round the leg of the eye beside it and tie an overhand knot.
Pull the overhand snug up against the bowline.

Common Whipping

2026-10-15T00:00:00-07:00

Turns of thin twine bound round a rope end to stop it unravelling. Both ends of the twine are buried under the turns.

Lay a bight of twine along the rope, with the loop pointing to the end of the rope.
Wrap the twine round the rope and over the bight, working toward the end. Pull each turn tight.
Pass the end through the loop of the bight.
Pull the other end of the twine to draw the loop and the end under the turns. Trim both ends.

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

2026-10-14T00:00:00-07:00

A round turn on a ring or post takes the load while you finish with two half hitches round the standing part. It is secure, and it can be untied even with the rope under strain.

Pass the end through the ring from front to back.
Pass it through again, so the rope makes a full round turn on the ring.
Bring the end down behind the standing part and round to the front.
First half hitch: take the end round the standing part and across over itself.
Second half hitch, the same way, below the first. Tuck the end under.
Slide the half hitches up toward the ring and pull them snug.

Clove Hitch

2026-10-13T00:00:00-07:00

Two turns round a post with the second crossing over the first. It is quick to tie, easy to adjust, and it starts most lashings.

Bring the working end across the front of the post.
Take it round behind the post and back to the front, above the standing part.
Cross it diagonally over the first turn and round behind the post again.
Bring the end round to the front and tuck it under the diagonal, so it leaves in the opposite direction to the standing part.
Pull both ends to snug the turns against the post.

Italian Hitch

2026-10-12T00:00:00-07:00

The loaded strand comes up to the bar.
Take it over the bar and round, as for a cow hitch.
Bring it across the front, over one leg and under the other.
Round the bar again: both strands now leave on the same side.
Hold the free strand to control the rope as it runs round the bar.

Granny Knot

2026-10-11T00:00:00-07:00

The square knot tied wrong: both halves twisted the same way. It is shown here so you can recognise it and retie it. It either slips or jams, and it sits twisted across the knot instead of lying flat.

Make a bight in the left-hand end (yellow).
Bring the blue end in from the right, under the yellow curve and over the lower leg.
Take it round the neck of the yellow bight: over one yellow leg and under the other.
Bring it back out. Its two parts now come out on opposite faces of the yellow bight.
Pulled tight, the knot twists across its own length instead of lying flat. That is the sign of a granny.

Clinch Knot

2026-10-10T00:00:00-07:00

The classic way to tie line to a hook, lure or swivel: through the eye, five twists round the line, then back through the small loop by the eye.

Pass the end of the line through the eye of the hook.
Bring it back up alongside the line.
Twist the end round the line five times, working away from the hook.
Bring the end back down and through the small loop just above the eye.
Wet it, then pull the line so the twists slide down onto the eye. Trim the end.

Cow Hitch

2026-10-09T00:00:00-07:00

A bight of rope dropped round a rail with both legs pulled through it. It is the standard way to fix a loop of cord or a sling to a ring, rail or harness.

One leg hangs down behind the rail.
Going up, it climbs the back of the rail, comes over the top towards you, down the front and back under the rail.
Behind the rail it crosses behind both legs: this is the bight that holds them against the rail.
On the other side it comes forward under the rail, up the front, over the top, and down the back between the rail and the bight as the second leg.
Pull both legs and the bight closes on them. Tied with a bight it is quicker: put the bight round the rail and pull both legs through it.

Overhand Knot

2026-10-08T00:00:00-07:00

The simplest knot there is, and the first move of many others. It makes a small lump in the rope that stops an end slipping through a hole or out of your grip.

Hold the rope with the standing part on the left. The working end on the right is the part that moves.
Bring the working end up and round to make a loop, crossing the standing part.
Take the end behind the standing part and up through the loop.
Pull both ends to draw the knot up. Work the slack out a little at a time so it sits neat.

Double Fisherman’s Knot

2026-10-07T00:00:00-07:00

Each rope ties a double overhand round the other. Pull the two standing parts and the two knots slide together and lock. It is the usual way to join cord into a closed loop.

Lay the two ends alongside each other, pointing in opposite directions.
Wrap the yellow end twice round both ropes, working back toward its own standing part.
Tuck the end back through the inside of both wraps and pull it snug.
Do the same with the blue end round the yellow rope: two wraps toward its own standing part...
...and tuck it back through the wraps.
Pull the two standing parts so the knots slide together and lock.

Carrick Mat

2026-10-06T00:00:00-07:00

The carrick bend’s weave closed into a flat oval and followed round twice. A small mat, coaster or base for a decoration, and the simplest of the woven mats.

Lay out the carrick pattern loosely on a table: loops crossing strictly over and under.
Close the pattern: the end meets the start.
Follow the pattern round a second time, beside the first pass.
Complete the second pass and work out the slack so the mat lies flat. Tuck the ends underneath.

Turk’s Head (3 lead, 4 bight)

2026-10-05T00:00:00-07:00

A woven band round a pole or rail. Followed round, the single rope crosses itself in a strict over-under pattern: 3 strands lie side by side all the way round (the leads) and the band has 4 scallops on each edge (the bights).

Wrap the rope round the pole, starting the pattern: each time it meets another part of itself it goes over, then under, then over.
Keep following the pattern round. Rotate the pole as you go, so you always work on the front.
Keep the over-under strict. One wrong crossing changes the knot.
When the end meets the start, the band is complete. Lay the end alongside the start to follow the pattern round again.
Tighten gradually all round and tuck the ends under the band.

Fisherman’s Knot

2026-10-04T00:00:00-07:00

Each end ties an overhand knot round the other rope. Pull the standing parts and the two knots slide together and jam. Simple, compact and good in thin line.

Lay the two ends alongside each other, pointing in opposite directions.
Take the yellow end once round both ropes, back toward its own standing part...
...and tuck it through, making an overhand knot round the blue rope.
Do the same with the blue end round the yellow rope...
...and tuck it through.
Pull the two standing parts so the knots slide together and lock.

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

2026-10-03T00:00:00-07:00

A round turn on a ring or post takes the load while you finish with two half hitches round the standing part. It is secure, and it can be untied even with the rope under strain.

Pass the end through the ring from front to back.
Pass it through again, so the rope makes a full round turn on the ring.
Bring the end down behind the standing part and round to the front.
First half hitch: take the end round the standing part and across over itself.
Second half hitch, the same way, below the first. Tuck the end under.
Slide the half hitches up toward the ring and pull them snug.

Flat Overhand Bend

2026-10-02T00:00:00-07:00

The two ends held together and tied as one in an overhand knot. Because the knot sits to one side, it slides over edges and snags less, which is why climbers use it to join abseil ropes.

Lay the two ends side by side, both pointing the same way.
Treat them as one rope and bring them round to make a loop.
Take the pair behind and up through the loop, as for an overhand knot.
Dress the knot so the strands lie parallel, then pull each of the four strands tight.
Check that the tails are long and the knot is fully tightened.

Bimini Twist

2026-10-01T00:00:00-07:00

A long, strong doubled loop for fishing line. The loop is twisted many times, the end is wound back down over the twists, and a half hitch round one leg locks it. It keeps almost the full strength of the line.

Double the line and twist the loop round itself many times.
Hold the loop open and let the end wind back down over the twists.
Lock it with a half hitch round one leg of the loop.
Pull the hitch snug and trim the tag.

Four-Strand Flat Braid

2026-09-30T00:00:00-07:00

A flat braid of 4 strands. Alternately from the left and the right, the outermost strand is brought to the middle, passing over and under the strands on its way.

Bind the strands together at the top and spread them flat. Bring the outer left strand to the middle, over-under the strands it passes.
Now the outer right strand to the middle, the same way. Then left again, then right.
Carry on alternating. Pull each strand snug as it reaches the middle.
Bind the strands together at the end.

Stevedore Knot

2026-09-29T00:00:00-07:00

A figure-eight with one more turn round the standing part. The result is a bigger stopper that is still easy to untie.

Hold the standing part at the top. The working end hangs below.
Bring the end up and across the standing part to make a loop.
Take it round behind the standing part...
...and round once more, so it wraps the standing part twice.
Bring the end back down through the first loop.
Pull the end and the standing part to draw the knot up.