OR

“HOW TO PREVENT THE RAFT FROM FLOATING AWAY”

“To Tie,” or “Knots to Tie”

The Anatomy of Rope

3 parts of a knotted rope End Standing part

The inactive length of the rope Bight

Between working end and standing part

Stopper Knots

Used to keep rope from slipping out a hole or a knot

Overhand Knot Simplest and smallest of all knots Used in small cords and twine It jams and is hard to untie

How to Tie: Make an overhand loop Pass end under and up through

the loop

Stopper Knots (cont’d)

Used to keep rope from slipping out a hole or a knot

Figure Eight Knot Larger, stronger than an overhand knot Does not injure rope fibers

How to Tie: Make an underhand loop Bring end around and over the

standing part Pass the end under and up through the loop

Binding Knots

Used to tie one or more objects together Square Knot

Good temporary knot Unties easily when either free end is pulled

How to Tie: Pass the left end over and under the right Curve the left end towards the right Cross the right end over and under the left Remember: “Left over right, right over left”

Loop Knots

When security comes first Bowline

“King of Knots” Never jams or slips

How to Tie: Overhand loop with end held toward you Pass the end up through the loop, then up behind the standing

part Then down through the loop again

Hitches

Temporary fastenings that untie readily Half hitch

Used for fastening to an object for a right-angle pull Two Half hitches

Just two half hitches (it’s that easy!) Quite secure Used for mooring and on fishing hooks

How to Tie: Pass the end of the rope around the object Tie an overhand knot to the standing part Repeat once more above the first knot

Hitches (cont’d)

Temporary fastenings that untie readily Clove hitch

The “general utility” hitch Used to fasten a rope around a post or stake Best used at the middle of a rope

How to Tie: Make a turn with the rope around the object and over itself Take a second turn around the object Pull the end up under the second turn so it lies between the

rope and object

Bends

To tie two ropes togetherShould be used on ropes of same size and texture

Sheet Bend To join light and medium ropes Unties easily Does not injure rope fibers Not best for heavier ropes

How to Tie: Make an overhand loop with the end of one rope Pass the end of the other rope through the loop Pass that end up behind its standing part And down through the loop again

Fisherman’s Knot

To tie two ropes together Joins small rope, twine, and fishing line

Very strong and easy to undo Can be used to form a loop in one strand of rope

How to Tie: Lay the two ends together in opposite directions Tie an overhand knot in the end of each around the standing

part of the other

Information Gathered From:

Plymouth Cordage Company. Useful Knots and How to Tie Them.

Plymouth, MA: Seabrook Shipyards, 1946.