5 Top Knots That Everyone Should Know

Coil

The coil is simply a technique that allows you to roll some rope and secure it properly.  It prevents tangles and enables you to quickly wrap and transport a length of rope.  The trick is to roll the coil so that both ends of the rope dangle from the side.  Fold one end back so that a loop forms across the top of the coil and hold it in place.  Take the other end and loop it from beneath the part of the coil that you are holding and wrap it in a circular motion from bottom to top.  Repeat about 5 or 6 times until you have what appears to be a hangman’s noose resting along the coil.  Pull the remaining length of rope through the noose portion.  Pull tightly to secure the knot in place.

Clove Hitch

This knot is used to tie a rope to a pole or stake, and it is intended to utilize as little rope as possible while making it very secure.  Take one end of the rope and wrap it around the post, placing the loose end beneath the initial line.  Wrap again above the initial tie and loop the loose end beneath the section that connects the bottom and top loops.  Pull tightly and the knot will secure itself.

Butterfly Knot

This knot will allow you to place loops along interior sections of a rope that can be used for a million and one practical purposes.  Simply form a figure 8 with the rope at the point where you want the loop to be and leave the ends dangling as you hold it in place.  Fold the top of the figure 8 down and behind the bottom piece.  Fold it up and over the bottom piece and through the loop.  Pull it up from behind the loop and yank tightly until it is secure.

Lasso

The lasso is a favorite of western movies for obvious reasons.  You can use it to catch prey or snag a person as well.  It is also very easy to make, but expect to need a little bit of practice with respect to throwing the rope and hitting the target.  The first step is to tie a loose single or overhand knot near the end of a rope, leaving a couple of inches of rope free.  Then tie another single knot at the very end of the rope to act as a lock, and pull it tight.  Wrap the end of the rope through the loose knot and pull tight and this will create the adjustable loop.  Feed the main line through the loop and that’s your lasso that can be adjusted to your liking.

Knute Hitch

This knot is used to tie some paracord or other lanyard to the end of a tool.  Make a stopper knot at one of the ends of the rope, and repeat as necessary to make the knot bigger than the hole in the tool handle.
Bend the rope and feed it through the hole of the tool.  Wrap the stopper knot over the side of the tool above the hole and feed it through the loop.  Pull tight and it will be secure.  These simple knots will help you to save rope while making knots secure.  They will also make it easier to loosen and remove them as necessary.  Remember that each type of knot out there is designed to fit a specific function, and the more that you can learn will provide you with numerous convenient benefits in the field.