Hitches

Knots and Rope Work

Course 1 · Chapter 6 · Hitches: Clove Hitch, Round Turn and Two Half Hitches, Taut-Line

A hitch ties a rope to something else: a post, a ring, a rail or a tree. Unlike a loop or a bend, a hitch usually depends on the object it is tied to, and often needs tension to hold. This chapter covers three hitches that between them handle most everyday jobs.

What Makes a Good Hitch

It grips the object. Friction against the post or rail does part of the work.
It suits the load. Some hitches hold a steady pull; others can work loose if the pull comes and goes.
It can be adjusted or released. Many jobs need a hitch you can slide or untie after a load.
It is backed up where it matters. A spare half hitch or stopper adds a margin of safety.

The Clove Hitch

The clove hitch is two turns round an object, the second crossing over the first and tucked under itself. It is quick to tie and adjust, and can be tied in the middle of a rope as well as at the end. Its weakness is that it can work loose or roll if the pull is uneven or keeps changing, so it is best as a quick, temporary hitch or with a back-up. (Reliability under varying load: check.)

Pass the rope round the post and cross over the standing part.
Take it round the post a second time, in the same direction.
Tuck the end under the second turn, next to the first crossing.
Pull both ends so the two turns bite and sit neatly side by side.

# clove hitch, in words
1. round the post, crossing over the standing part
2. round the post again, same direction
3. tuck the end under the second turn
4. pull snug; the two turns sit side by side

# tip: add a half hitch on the end to back it up

A clove hitch is not a safe lifeline It can slip or capsize under uneven or changing load. Do not trust it alone for anything that matters, such as holding a person or a heavy weight. Back it up or choose a different hitch.

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

A round turn takes the rope fully round the object once or twice before any knotting, which spreads the load and takes much of the strain off the knot. Two half hitches then lock it. The result is secure, holds a steady or changing pull, and can be untied after a load. It is a dependable choice for tying a boat to a ring or a load to a post. (Typical uses: check.)

Pass the rope fully round the post (or ring) so it makes a complete turn, and pull it snug.
Take the end round the standing part and tuck it through, making the first half hitch.
Repeat in the same direction to make the second half hitch.
Slide the half hitches up against the post and pull snug.

# round turn and two half hitches, in words
1. one full turn round the post; hold the load on it
2. half hitch round the standing part
3. second half hitch, same direction
4. slide hitches up to the post; pull snug

# the round turn takes the strain; the hitches lock it

The Taut-Line Hitch

The taut-line hitch is an adjustable hitch for a rope under tension, such as a tent guy line. It is tied on the standing part with a few turns inside a loop, and it grips when loaded but can be slid up or down when the load is eased. This lets you tighten or loosen a line without untying it. It works best on rope with some grip; very slippery rope may creep. (Rope suitability: check.)

Pass the end round the post or peg and back along the standing part.
Make two turns round the standing part, working towards the post, inside the loop you just made.
Make a third turn on the outside of those two, then tuck the end through to finish.
Slide the hitch along the standing part to adjust the tension, then let it grip.

# taut-line hitch, in words
1. end round the peg and back along the standing part
2. two turns inside the loop, towards the peg
3. a third turn outside the loop, then tuck and finish
4. slide to adjust; the load makes it grip

# use on guy lines and anything that needs re-tensioning

Hitch	Best for	Strength	Weakness
Clove hitch	Quick, temporary ties; mid-rope	Fast to tie and adjust	Can slip or roll under uneven load
Round turn and two half hitches	Securing to a ring or post	Dependable and releasable	Slower to tie
Taut-line hitch	Adjustable tension, such as guy lines	Slides to adjust, grips when loaded	May creep on slippery rope

Back it up A half hitch or two on the tail turns a quick hitch into a safer one. When in doubt, add the back-up and leave a generous tail.

Not Yet Verified, and Sources

Source. Written from general knowledge of common knot practice; no specific source was read, and nothing is quoted from a text.
Marked (check). The clove hitch's reliability under varying load, typical uses of the round turn and two half hitches, and which ropes suit the taut-line hitch.
Descriptions. The steps are in words. Follow them with real rope and adjust to what you see.

Exercises

Exercise 1

Tie a clove hitch round a chair leg or broom handle. Pull on the rope from different angles and with a slack pull that you then repeat. Write down when it holds and when it moves, then add a half hitch as a back-up and test again.

→ Solution

Exercise 2

Tie a round turn and two half hitches round a post or railing and hang a light weight from it. Then untie it. Compare how it feels to untie with a clove hitch under the same load.

→ Solution

Exercise 3

Tie a taut-line hitch on a line stretched between a peg (or chair) and a fixed point. Tighten it, loosen it, then tighten it again without untying. Describe what makes it grip and when it slips.

→ Solution

Quick Reference

Hitch: a knot that ties a rope to an object
Clove hitch: quick and adjustable; back it up
Round turn and two half hitches: dependable and releasable
Taut-line hitch: adjustable, grips under load
Always leave a tail and test before trusting a hitch

Coming next Chapter 7 moves on to lashings and splices: binding poles together with square and diagonal lashings, and the basics of an eye splice.