The square knot, also called the reef knot, is a binding knot used to secure a rope around an object. In the video I demonstrate tying the square knot with 2 different color ropes. This is to make learning the knot easier. The square knot shouldn’t be used for joining two ropes as it has difficulty staying together. Basically, it is two half-knots, but instead of tying them both in the same direction like in a granny knot, alternate which rope end you lay over which. Think, "right over left; left over right”.

Sometimes called “The King of Knots”, the bowline is one of the most important and useful knots to learn. It is used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. One of the best things about the bowline is no matter how much load has been placed on it, it is relatively easy to break apart. On the other hand, it can have a tendency of falling apart when NOT under pressure. There are many variations on the bowline to address this weakness. For now, you can’t go wrong with learning the basic bowline.

The overhand bow, like the overhand, is one of the easiest knots to tie. It is a simple way of joining two ropes. Also like the overhand, it jams easily when put under any kind of load.

A double figure-eight, like the overhand bow, joins two lines together, but unlike the overhand, is relatively easy to break apart once any load has been placed on it.

A bend is a knot that joins two ropes together. The sheet bend, also known as the becket bend, is particularly useful for joining ropes of different diameter or pliability. Always create the loop end, also known as the “bight”, on the larger or more rigid rope. The sheet bend is closely related to the bowline, and like the bowline, has a tendency to come loose when not under pressure.

The double sheet bend is a more secure version of the sheet bend. The extra turn around the bight prevents the ropes from slipping. For maximum strength, the loose ends of both ropes should be on the same side of the bend.

The carrick bend, also known as the sailor’s breastplate, works well for joining two ropes that are too heavy, large, or lack the pliability for other bends. It is easy to break apart even after it has been put under pressure.

The granny knot is another kind of binding knot used to secure a rope around an object. You may notice that it closely resembles the square knot. That’s because it consists of two half-knots tied on top of one another, but unlike the square knot, do not alternate the direction you tie them. In this case think, “right over left, right over left”.

Along with the bowline and the sheet bend, the clove hitch may be one of the most useful and important knots to learn. A “hitch” is a type of knot that ties a rope to an object like a cleat, railing, anchor, etc. The clove hitch works particularly well on round objects like posts, railings, or trees and is formed by tying two successive half-hitches. It can be used as a binding knot but is particularly useful as a temporary holding knot. With its tendency to slip, it shouldn’t be considered permanent nor be trusted to hold weight safely.

While the half hitch is considered a knot, it shouldn’t be considered safe when used alone. That being said, it is invaluable to learn, is part of many other knots, and when variations of it are used properly, can be very helpful. Along with the bowline, it is one of the knots I use most frequently.

The double constrictor is one of the most effective binding knots. Notice that is closely resembles the clove hitch. It is quite simple to form, but unlike the clove hitch, it can be difficult to untie once a significant load has been placed on it. As its name implies, it does a good job at “constricting” the object around which it is tied. Beware of this if you are using it on fragile items.

The running bowline is an easy and valuable knot to learn. It is simply a bowline wrapped around an object, and the standing end of the rope, (the end you’re holding), pulled through the loop. Basically, it’s an easy noose used to retrieve something like a limb that fell into the water, and because it’s a bowline, it will be easy to break apart no matter how much force has been applied to it.

There’s a saying that goes, “if you don’t know knots, just tie lots”. Never is this more true than watching someone dock their boat and tie its lines to a cleat. They use so many more turns than they need. The cleat hitch is the most effective way to tie a rope to a cleat and should be quick, simple, and clean.

As its name implies, the anchor hitch, (sometimes called the fisherman’s bend), is one of the preferred ways for boaters to tie a line to an anchor. It is considered even stronger than the bowline and can be made permanent by seizing the loose end of the hitch to standing end of the rope.