Knots can be difficult to tie. What makes it tricky is when you are trying to learn about knots and the person trying to teach you is using all sorts of terms that don’t make any sense. This glossary is here to help you.
Rope Formations and Fundamentals
Basic Rope Terms
- The Standing End is the part of the rope that is usually affixed to something else (think an anchor point, another rope, etc.)
- The Standing Part is the “rest of the rope”, not including the end of the rope.
- The Working End is the part of the rope that you are manipulating and using to tie the knot
- A Bight is when you make a narrow arch in the rope.
Half Hitch
A half hitch is when you pass a working end over the standing part, and then behind itself. You can think of it as making a number nine with the working end and the standing part.
Half Knot
The easiest way to describe a half knot is half of a square knot. So after you cross the ropes forming an X, you take one side and pass it over and under the opposite standing part. This isn’t really used by itself but is a foundation formation for other knots.
Left Overhand Crossing Turn
A counterclockwise loop with the working end sitting on top of the standing part.
Left Underhand Crossing Turn
A counterclockwise loop with the working end sitting behind the standing part.
Left Overhand Crossing Turn
A counterclockwise loop with the working end sitting on top of the standing part.
Right Overhand Crossing Turn
A clockwise loop with the working end sitting on top of the standing part.
Left Underhand Crossing Turn
A counterclockwise loop with the working end sitting behind the standing part.
Left Overhand Crossing Turn
A counterclockwise loop with the working end sitting on top of the standing part.
The crossing turns are very simple, but whether the rope goes to the left or the right or if it goes under or over the rope can make a big difference in a knot. The pattern is simple:
- If the working end goes OVER the standing part, it’s an overhand crossing turn
- If it goes counterclockwise, it’s a LEFT crossing turn, if it goes clockwise it’s a RIGHT crossing turn
Learning the Slip Knot Using the Crossing Turn Foundations
With this knowledge, let’s make a simple knot, the slip knot:
- Make a Left Overhand Crossing Turn
- With the standing part (below where the working end crosses the standing part), pull a bight through the front of the turn (don’t go under the turn).
- Keep the bight in place while pulling the working end
Slip Knot
The slip knot is the same as an overhand knot except you pass a bight through the loop instead of the working end
Right Underhand Crossing Turn
A clockwise loop with the working end sitting behind the standing part.
Single Turn
A 180-degree wrap around an object or rope
Round Turn
A 360-degree wrap around an object or rope
Overhand Knot (Pretzel Knot)
Make a left or right overhand crossing turn, and pass the working end behind the loop and pull through. (can be done with an underhand crossing turn if you go the opposite direction)
Slip Knot
The slip knot is the same as an overhand knot except you pass a bight through the loop instead of the working end
Knot Types
Binding Knot
A binding knot is when you tie a rope to itself to secure another object or group of objects
Hitch
A hitch is when you tie a rope to an object. You’re not trying to secure the object itself like in a binding knot but rather just tie the hitch securely to the object.
Coil
A coil is a storage method for a rope. A good coil doesn’t work against the natural lay of the rope (for twisted ropes) preventing kinks.
Bend
A bend is when you tie two ropes together.
Lashing
A lashing is when you tie two objects together with rope
Stopper Knot
A stopper knot is meant to create a knot with the intended purpose of adding bulk making the rope easier to grab, adding weight to a particular portion of a knot, or preventing a rope from passing through another object
Loop Knot
A loop knot leaves a loop as a part of the shape of the knot.
Whipping
A whipping is a way to terminate a rope to prevent fraying or unraveling.
Other Terms:
- Fair: To fair your knot means to adjust the lines and tensions of your knot so that the rope lays properly. A badly faired knot will be harder to untie and is sometimes insecure.