Knot tying

Knot tying

bowline• Uses: The Bowline makes a reasonably secure loop

in the end of a piece of rope. It has many uses, e.g., to fasten a mooring line to a ring or a post. Under load, it does not slip or bind. With no load it can be untied easily. Two bowlines can be linked together to join two ropes. Its principal shortcoming is that it cannot be tied, or untied, when there is a load on the standing end. It should therefore be avoided when, for example, a mooring line may have to be released under load.

Bowline on a bight

• Uses: The Bowline on a Bight makes a secure loop in the middle of a piece of rope. It does not slip or bind. It is satisfying to start with a plain length of rope and finish with a secure safe loop in its middle.

Carrick bend knot

• Uses: The Carrick Bend joins two ropes together.

Chain sinnet

• Uses: The Chain Sinnet (Chain Stitch) is tied by many of us as children. It turns a piece of string into a pleasing chain. And, when pulled, all of the knots vanish as if by magic. It is found on dress uniforms; it can be used to shorten, and add bulk to, the end of a light pull; and it is also used by climbers as a means of preventing a rope getting tangled, e.g., when being washed or stored.