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 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 or
buntline hitch, 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 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
buntline hitch, 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, crav ...
knot called the
four-in-hand knot.
See also
*
List of knots
References
External links
*
Notable Knot Index– shows quick method of tying
– including instructions
The Misunderstood Clove Hitch– illustrations and stories
{{Knots