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Simple Knots.

Here are some simple but very useful knots. We suggest the easiest way to start tying these knots is to obtain two ropes of different colours. Form the shape for one colour, thread the other rope through this shape. Animations are provided by Hypertext links to the highly excellent 42nd Brighton (Saltdean) scout troop website.

Reef Knot
Reef Knot - this simple knot is used for bandages and packaging. (Animation.)

Sheet Bend
Sheet bend - this simple knot is basic knot for joining two ropes, especially ropes of unequal thickness. (Animation.) It can be tied two ways, consider this, the Packers Knot :

Bowline
Bowline - the classic non-slip loop at the end of a rope. In times of old used by climbers, but with the use of new types of rope, replaced by other more sophisticated knots.
How to tie the bowline.

Thumb knot - a simple knot which as it is has little use, but is the basic part of the very useful Fishermans Knot. (Animation.) An adaptation of the thumb knot can be used to fasten two climbing tapes together - but this is an advanced knot.

Fishermans Knot (above) - is used to join two thin lines together, being excellent for fishing line, but it can also be used for larger man-made fibre ropes as well. Tie a thumb knot around one line, then a thumb knot around the other, and pull the lines tight (see arrows). (Animation.)

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches (above) - is a most useful knot for fastening a rope to a pole or ring. A round turn means go around the spar twice !. The two half hitches must be pulled tight - they are shown open to illustrate the way the knot is tied. (Animation.)

Clove Hitch - another knot for fastening a rope to a pole or ring. Not as effective as a round turn and two half-hitches but used in pioneering and to fasten the middle of a rope around a pole. Look carefully, this knot is just two half-hitches.
How to tie a Clove Hitch. (Animation.)

Figure of eight - another knot which in itself is not much use, but which forms the basis of a very useful knot, the Double Figure of Eight, below. (Animation.)

Double Figure of Eight (above) - this is the knot to use if you require a loop in the middle of a rope. It is easy to undo after being under strain, so for example if you wish to tighten a rope with block and tackle, this is the knot to use for attaching the tackle. In climbing, the double figure of eight would be used for clipping on to a rope: you make the knot and attach your karabiner to the rope.
(Unfortunately there is no animation for this knot.)

Remember if you need information about any Scout Activity you can email Bill Oldroyd, Scout Leader, 1st Tadcaster. 01937-836078

	Reef Knot - this simple knot is used for bandages and packaging. (Animation.)
	Sheet bend - this simple knot is basic knot for joining two ropes, especially ropes of unequal thickness. (Animation.) It can be tied two ways, consider this, the Packers Knot :
	Bowline - the classic non-slip loop at the end of a rope. In times of old used by climbers, but with the use of new types of rope, replaced by other more sophisticated knots. How to tie the bowline.
	Thumb knot - a simple knot which as it is has little use, but is the basic part of the very useful Fishermans Knot. (Animation.) An adaptation of the thumb knot can be used to fasten two climbing tapes together - but this is an advanced knot.

Fishermans Knot (above) - is used to join two thin lines together, being excellent for fishing line, but it can also be used for larger man-made fibre ropes as well. Tie a thumb knot around one line, then a thumb knot around the other, and pull the lines tight (see arrows). (Animation.)

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches (above) - is a most useful knot for fastening a rope to a pole or ring. A round turn means go around the spar twice !. The two half hitches must be pulled tight - they are shown open to illustrate the way the knot is tied. (Animation.)
	Clove Hitch - another knot for fastening a rope to a pole or ring. Not as effective as a round turn and two half-hitches but used in pioneering and to fasten the middle of a rope around a pole. Look carefully, this knot is just two half-hitches. How to tie a Clove Hitch. (Animation.)
	Figure of eight - another knot which in itself is not much use, but which forms the basis of a very useful knot, the Double Figure of Eight, below. (Animation.)

Double Figure of Eight (above) - this is the knot to use if you require a loop in the middle of a rope. It is easy to undo after being under strain, so for example if you wish to tighten a rope with block and tackle, this is the knot to use for attaching the tackle. In climbing, the double figure of eight would be used for clipping on to a rope: you make the knot and attach your karabiner to the rope. (Unfortunately there is no animation for this knot.)