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Home › Chart guides › Essential Knots Chart
Ten knots cover most everyday jobs, from stopping a rope end to tying a boat to a post. This chart lists the overhand, figure-eight, figure-eight loop, slip knot, square knot, sheet bend, bowline, clove hitch, two half hitches and the round turn and two half hitches, with what each is for.
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Ten knots worth knowing, drawn loose so you can follow the rope, with what each one is for.
| # | Knot | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Overhand knot | The simplest stopper knot: keeps a rope end from slipping through a hole and stops it fraying. |
| 02 | Figure-eight knot | A bulkier stopper than the overhand that is still easy to untie after it has been loaded. |
| 03 | Figure-eight loop | A strong fixed loop at the end of a line, widely used in climbing and rescue work. |
| 04 | Slip knot | A quick sliding loop: the usual way to start crochet and knitting, and handy for temporary ties. |
| 05 | Square (reef) knot | Ties two ends of one rope around a bundle: bandages, parcels, reefed sails. Not for joining ropes under load. |
| 06 | Sheet bend | Joins two ropes, even when they differ in thickness or stiffness. |
| 07 | Bowline | A fixed loop that will not slip or jam and unties easily, even after a heavy load. |
| 08 | Clove hitch | A fast, adjustable hitch to a post or rail; it can work loose if the pull keeps changing direction. |
| 09 | Two half hitches | Ties a line to a post or ring quickly; easy to tie and to untie. |
| 10 | Round turn and two half hitches | Holds a line under strain to a post, ring or mooring: the round turn takes the load while you tie off. |
Knots are drawn loose to show the path of the rope; dress them neatly and pull them snug before use.
For climbing, rescue or lifting people, learn from a qualified instructor and use rated equipment.