Different Rope Knots

Most everyone knows how to tie a simple overhand knot, but intricate, unusual-looking knots have important uses. With some knots, the primary goal is to secure an object. For others, it is a means to carry a heavy load. A plain, overhand knot will burn, weaken and ultimately destroy a rope once weight is applied, so learn a few different styles to suit the job and keep your rope strong.

  1. Bowline

    • Sometimes pronounced "bowling," a bowline knot is for carrying an attached load and it will come undone without effort even after much force has been applied. Create a loop in the rope about the size of 2 or 3 fingers. Push the tail of the rope through the loop, around the back of the rope and back through the loop again. This creates a larger loop at the bottom for supporting loads. Since this knot unties so easily, do not use it for holding the weight of a person, suggests the website netknots.com.

    Figure Eight

    • Figure eight knots are generally trusted as man-rated, meaning that if the rope is also man-rated, it will support the weight of a person. Commonly used by climbers for attaching their harnesses to a rope, these are very tough knots. Create a loop in the rope and twist it once, as shown at the website abc-of-rockclimbing.com. Bring the tail of the rope across the front of the loop, around to the back and then through the loop. The tail should come through the loop back to front. Pull on both ends of the rope to tighten. There are several different variations of the figure eight, but this is the simplest.

    Fisherman's Knot

    • A fisherman's knot is used to join two lengths of rope together securely. Place the ropes side by side with the tails pointing in opposite directions, as demonstrated on the website indoorclimbing.com. Using the tail from the first rope, tie a simple overhand knot around the second rope. Next, tie an overhand knot with the second rope around the first rope. The two knots can be far apart at this point. Tighten both knots individually, then pull on the ropes to slide the two knots together.

    Clove Hitch

    • Clove hitch knots are used to secure an object to another object such as a hammock to a tree or a tent to a stake. Wrap the rope around the stake or tree (or whatever it happens to be), bringing the tail back around and under the main line of the rope. Wrap the tail around again, above the first wrap, insert the tail through the second loop and tighten, according to the website Trails.com.