Clover Hitch to Ring

The clove hitch forms the basis of a number of knots and can be tied in a number of different ways. I have therefore shown this method of a clove hitch to a ring. You may wish to look at the clove hitch and and clover hitch to bollard or spar on this site which demonstrates alternative tying methods of the clove hitch. Caution should be used as the clove hitch can come undone if the object it is attached to can rotate or if a constant pressure is not maintained. Slippage can also be a problem with some of the more slippery man made ropes such as polypropylene.

Regardless of your situation at some point in your life you’ll encounter a thread, cord or rope knot. Research records of archaeologist J Wymer shows records of knots as far back as 380,000 years ago! Some of these knots are as described, as used then, on this site.

Your life will be made easier and safer with some knowledge of how to tie a knot.

This site holds over 250 different animated knots. That is more than most could be expected to reasonably use. However, the question still remains; for the situation you currently find yourself, which knot should you use?

It is my hope that the animated illustrations provided on this site will assist and encourage you to extend your knot tying skills.

Rope knots can basically be divided into the following groups:

1. Bends    - Joining two lines by intertwining them, without splicing, or sewing.
2. Hitches  - A knot that secures a rope or line to another object.
3. Stopper  – Used to bind strands at the end of a rope to stop fraying or unraveling.
              Also formed to stop a rope slipping through a hole or to provide a weight or handhold.
4. Bindings – Much like hitches. They are used to bind either lines or objects together. Their aim is
              to keep objects in place.
5. Splices  – Describes the act of joining the ends, or the end and a standing part, of rope by
              interweaving strands. They are not knots in themselves.
6. Loops    – Loops create structures used to tie, or secure, another object or line to another line.
              They can be formed at the end or midway a length of rope.
7. Plaits   - Weaving several lines together to form a pattern and a cohesive structure.
8. Miscellaneous & Decorative – Knots that have decorative, dress or multiple category
              characteristics.

The rope knot section of this site is set out with these groups firmly in mind.

Good luck

Andy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew Galwey is the publisher of Australia’s most successful trailer boating publication, Trailerboat Fisherman and Australian Boating, a publication dedicated to the cruiser enthusiast. He developed the Internet site www.marinews.com back in 1996 as a window to pass on some of his skills. Fishing, boating and the art of knot tying are certainly skills he’s mastered well. As a fishing enthusiast, fishing both commercially and recreationally, Andy developed a fascination and skill for the art of knot tying. His 40 years of both working the land and boating has seen those knot tying skills extended way beyond fishing knots and into the world of rope knots as well.

He’s a member of the Pacific Americas Branch of the International Guild of Knot Tyers and encourages anyone with a knot tying interest to visit their website (www.igktpab.org).

Marinews would like to thank Andy for his support and hope you not only learn from this excellent section on knot tying but also get many hours of enjoyment from it.

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