Essential Knots Guide for Boating, Scouting & Equipment Operations

Creates a fixed loop that won't slip yet unties easily. Popular for mooring sailboats, rescuing pets from ice holes, and lifting spreader bars on cranes.

1. Form a small loop—the “rabbit hole.”
2. Pass the working end up through the hole, around the standing part, and back down.
3. Dress and tighten, locking the loop size.

Equipment-use note: Common on crane sling assemblies; OSHA bans shortening slings with makeshift knots, so a proper bowline is vital. (1910.184)

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Fast temporary hitch for a post, dock piling, or scaffold rail; adjusts under light load.

1. Wrap rope once around post.
2. Cross over and wrap again above the first turn.
3. Slip end under the final wrap; tighten.

Equipment-use note: Secures straps on flatbed trailers during tarping.

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A symmetrical stopper knot that prevents ropes from sliding out of pulleys or belay devices.

1. Make an overhand loop.
2. Wrap working end around the standing part.
3. Bring end back through the loop and tighten.

Equipment-use note: Stops tagline pull-through on material-handling winches.

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Joins two ropes of equal diameter with the “right over left, left over right” technique. Originally used by sailors to reef sails.

1. Cross right end over left and make an overhand knot.
2. Cross left end over right for a second overhand knot.
3. Pull both standing ends to tighten; both working ends exit on the same side.

Equipment-use note: Common for bundling tarps on service vehicles.

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Excellent for joining ropes of unequal diameter or different materials.

1. Form a bight in the thicker rope.
2. Pass the thinner rope through the bight from behind.
3. Wrap around both parts of the bight and tuck under itself.

Equipment-use note: Used in shipping container operations when securing varied lines.

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Stronger variation of the sheet bend for critical loads or greater rope size disparity.

1. Form a bight in the thicker rope.
2. Pass the thinner rope through the bight from behind.
3. Make two turns around the bight before tucking under.

Equipment-use note: Preferred for heavy loads on material-handling equipment.

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An adjustable loop that stays fixed under tension but slides for length adjustment when slack.

1. Wrap working end twice around the standing part away from the anchor.
2. Make a third wrap closer to the anchor point.
3. Tuck working end under the third wrap and tighten.

Equipment-use note: Fine-tunes tag lines on aerial lifts.

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Compound knot giving mechanical advantage for high-tension tie-downs.

1. Create a loop in the standing part (often a slip knot).
2. Pass working end around anchor and through the loop.
3. Pull tight, then secure with two half hitches.

Equipment-use note: Industry standard for strapping loads on delivery vans and flatbeds.

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Friction hitch that grips another rope or pole—holds one-way, slides the other.

1. Make two turns around the object in the same direction.
2. Add a third turn crossing over previous turns.
3. Tuck working end under the last turn; tighten.

Equipment-use note: Adds control lines to cables on heavy machinery.

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Stabilizing turn plus two hitches—great for mooring boats or anchoring loads.

1. Make a complete turn around the object.
2. Wrap working end around standing part and through the loop.
3. Repeat to create a second half hitch; tighten.

Equipment-use note: Common rigging on boom trucks to secure tag lines.

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Shortens a rope or bypasses a damaged section without cutting.

1. Form an S-shape, creating three parallel lengths.
2. Make a half hitch at one end over the adjacent bend.
3. Repeat at the other end; tighten under tension.

Equipment-use note: Adjusts cable lengths on tow-truck winches.

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Wrap-and-twist knot for dragging or lifting logs—tightens under load, releases easily when slack.

1. Wrap working end around the object.
2. Loop working end around the standing part.
3. Take several turns around itself; tighten.

Equipment-use note: Essential for forestry operations when skidding timber.

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Quick attachment knot that evenly distributes load—ideal for tethering or hanging gear.

1. Fold rope into a bight.
2. Pass the bight through or around the object.
3. Feed working ends through the bight and pull tight.

Equipment-use note: Fastens lines on agricultural equipment and harnesses.

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The simplest knot and basis of many others; used as a stopper and to prevent fraying.

1. Form a loop with the working end over the standing part.
2. Pass the working end through the loop.
3. Pull both ends to tighten.

Equipment-use note: Acts as a safety stopper in countless industrial-equipment rigging setups.

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