The clove hitch is a type of

knot A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...

. Along with the

bowline The bowline ( or ) is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after being subjected to a load. The bowline is sometimes ...

and the

sheet bend The sheet bend (also known as becket bend, weaver's knot and weaver's hitch) is a bend. It is practical for joining lines of different diameter or rigidity. It is quick and easy to tie, and is considered so essential it is the first knot given ...

, it is often considered one of the most important knots. A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. It is most effectively used as a crossing knot. It can be used as a binding knot, but is not particularly secure in that role. A clove hitch made around the rope's own

standing part A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...

is known as either

two half-hitches Two half-hitches is a type of knot, specifically a binding knot or hitch knot. One variety consists of an overhand knot tied around a post, followed by a half-hitch. This knot is less often referred to as a clove hitch over itself, double half-hi ...

buntline hitch The buntline hitch is a knot used for attaching a rope to an object. It is formed by passing the working end around an object, then making a clove hitch around the rope's standing part and taking care that the turns of the clove hitch progress ' ...

, depending on whether the turns of the clove hitch progress away from or towards the hitched object.

Usage

This knot is particularly useful where the length of the running end needs to be adjustable, since feeding in rope from either direction will loosen the knot to be tightened at a new position. With certain types of cord, the clove hitch can slip when loaded. In modern climbing rope, the clove hitch will slip to a point, and then stop slipping. When tied around a

carabiner A carabiner or karabiner () is a specialized type of shackle, a metal loop with a spring-loaded gate used to quickly and reversibly connect components, most notably in safety-critical systems. The word is a shortened form of ''Karabinerhaken' ...

, the load should pull on the end closest to its spine. With smaller diameter cords, after being heavily weighted it may become difficult to untie. It is also unreliable when used on a square or rectangular post, rather than round. The clove hitch is also commonly used in pioneering to start and finish a

lashing Lash or Lashing may refer to: * Eyelash * Whiplash (disambiguation) * Lashing (ropework), a form of connecting solid objects tightly using rope or cord * Flagellation, a form of torture or punishment involving a whip * Backlash (engineering), clea ...

such as the traditional square lashing, tripod lashing, round lashing and shear lashing.

Tying

The clove hitch is tied by first passing the running end of the rope around the spar and back over itself to form an X. The running end then passes around the spar again, under the intersection of the last two turns, and both ends are pulled tight. There are several methods of tying it using both hands or one hand. File:Elden sarkan ipe tek elle tam kazık bağı 1.jpg , 1. The rope hooked by the thumb is let to hang loosely either side. File:Elden sarkan ipe tek elle tam kazık bağı 2.jpg , 2. The inner rope is pulled back and out using the ring finger. File:Elden sarkan ipe tek elle tam kazık bağı 3.jpg , 3. The outer rope is pulled in and back using the middle finger. File:Elden sarkan ipe tek elle tam kazık bağı 4.jpg , 4. The ring and the little finger join the middle finger. File:Elden sarkan ipe tek elle tam kazık bağı 5.jpg , 5. The hand is rotated around the front rope, the index finger gets under then points up. File:Elden sarkan ipe tek elle tam kazık bağı 6.jpg , 6. The index finger and the thumb are joined to gather the final knot.

Related knots

When a rope is passed around an object and then tied around itself with a clove hitch, this is called a

, commonly used as a

necktie A necktie, or simply a tie, is a piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes around the neck, resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat, and often draped down the chest. Variants include the ascot, bow, bolo, zipper tie, cra ...

knot called the

four-in-hand knot The four-in-hand knot is a method of tying a necktie. It is also known as a simple knot or schoolboy knot, due to its simplicity and style. Some reports state that carriage drivers tied their reins with a four-in-hand knot, while others claim th ...

References

External links

*
Notable Knot Index
– shows quick method of tying

– including instructions
The Misunderstood Clove Hitch
– illustrations and stories {{Knots

Usage

Tying

Related knots

See also

References

External links