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Pick the knot you want to learn about: Bowline, Figure Eight Knot, Square Knot,
Single and Double Sheetbend, or Daisy Chain
BOWLINE
Purpose: To make a loop that is strong enough to support high weight loads, yet be able to be broken (undone) with ease.
Start with 1 line(rope).
Make a small loop in the standing part of the rope. [Make a hole for the rabbit]. Important that the free end crosses over the TOP of the standing end. (at this point wrap the free end through or around what ever is desired be lifted).
Pull the free end through the loop. [Rabbit comes OUT of the hole]. Important that it comes from the farside to the close side (as shown).
Wrap the free end around the standing part. [Rabbit goes around the tree]. Note how it tucks under.
Pull the free end back through the hole top to bottom. [Rabbit runs back into hole].
Pull the standing and free ends until tight.
Close up of finished knot.
FIGURE EIGHT KNOT
AKA STOPPER KNOT. Purpose: To put a knot that can withstand great force on the knot and still be easy to break [untie knot]. It is suprior in this sense to the simple overhand knot.
Start with 1 line (rope).
Cross free end over standing part.
Wrap free end under standing part
Pull the free end through the lower loop top to bottom. Note the appearance of the "8".
Pull free end and standing parts until tight. Close up of the knot.
SQUARE KNOT
Purpose: To tie two like-sized lines together for a short time and be easy to be broken.
WARNING: THIS KNOT WILL NOT SUPPORT HUMAN WEIGHT! THIS KNOT WILL SLIP OVER TIME.
Start with two similar sized lines (ropes).
Pass one line around the other once.
Tie and over-hand knot with the free ends. NOTE: the over-hand knot should not counter-act the first knot. Make sure that both parts of the same line run next to each other (see next picture for better view).
Finished knot. Pull standing parts until tight. Again notice the way the two parts of the same line enter/exit the knot together.
SINGLE and DOUBLE SHEETBEND
Purpose: To tie two similar or NON-similar lines together. This knot is designed for connecting two load-bearing lines together.
Start with two lines (rope) or any size.
The larger of the two lines in diameter just loops back on itself (forming a "bight"). The smaller of the two passed from back to front under this loop.
Pass the free end of the smaller line around behind the bight.
Pass the free end of the smaller line under the smaller line standing part, but over the bight
For a single sheetbend pull the standing part of the smaller line and the knot is finished. However, if the two lines vary greatly in size, or you are planning on moving a human, DO NOT pull tight and go to the next step.
For double sheetbend pass the free end behind the bight again, and under the standing part again (basically going around the bight for a second time.
Pull the double sheetbend tight. If you are moving a human, make sure both free ends are fairly long and tie figure eight knots in both.
DAISY CHAIN
Purpose: To store any double or more set of lines quickly, and allow quick untieing.
This knot can be tied very quickly once you get the hand trick down.
WARNING: THIS KNOT IS NOT DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ANY WEIGHT
Start with a double-line (usually off a sail, but take this as an example).
Make a loop with the lines. Make sure the free end crosses over the standing part.
Pull a small part of the free end through the loop, creating the 2nd loop (first daisy loop).
Pull a small part of the free end through the 2nd loop, creating the 3rd loop (2nd daisy loop).
Pull a small part of the free end through the 3rd loop, creating the 4th loop. This knot does not have to be very tight, but needs to be tight enough to not be messy.
Continue the pulling through technique until you have very little left of the double-rope on the free end.
Then pull the tails all the way through the last loop. Pull the last loop tight.
A COIL OF ROPE
