Basic Knots and Hitches

Video Program

PARTICIPANT GUIDE

2011-2012
VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

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the world a better place.

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Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

2300 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146 314.592.2300 800.727.GIRL [4475]

BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page(s)
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................ii
Program Objectives .....................................................................................................................................................................1
Materials Required........................................................................................................................................................................1
Instructions for Tying Knots ............................................................................................................................................. 2 7
Review of Knots and Hitches ...........................................................................................................................................8 9
Types of Ropes ...........................................................................................................................................................................10
Games......................................................................................................................................................................................11 12
The Next Step.............................................................................................................................................................................. 13

This program was paid for with proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Activity, Fall Product Activity
and contributions from individuals and corporations.

Copyright

20112012. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. This guide is protected by copyright laws. No portion of this guide may be reproduced in
any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. Please address permission
requests to: Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, 2300 Ball Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, Attention: Adult Education Manager or call
800.727.GIRL [4475], 314.592.2300.

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the video program, "Basic Knots and Hitches." This program is not a home study program
there are no tests to complete or answer sheets to return.

Purpose of this program

A good knot can be easily tied and easily untied. Girl Scouts who know basic knots and hitches will
find their outdoor experiences more enjoyable.

Possible uses for the video include:

Preparing for Basic Campcraft Skills, Troop Camp A or B or other GSEM adult education courses
that involve knot tying.
Introducing knot tying to a troop or group.
Increasing your own comfort level with knot tying.
When you have completed the program, please return the DVD to the person from whom you obtained it.
The participant guide is yours to keep.

How to use this program

This participant guide reiterates main points covered in the video and provides some additional
information. You may wish to follow along in the guide and jot down notes as you watch the video.

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
At the end of this learning experience, with the materials provided, participants will be able to:
1. Tie three knots and three hitches.
2. Tell which types of knots or hitches are most suitable for specific situations.

Materials Required
You will receive the greatest benefit from this program if you tie the knots yourself as they are demonstrated. You will need:
Rope A:
A six-foot length of rope of any diameter or color.
Rope B:
A three-foot length of rope of different diameter from Rope A. Rope B may be the
same color as Rope A.
Rope C:
A three-foot length of rope different in color from Rope A and of any diameter.
Cotton ropes are recommended.
You will also need a vertical object, such as a post or the leg of a chair or table, around which to tie
knots or hitches.

Positioning the Ropes

It is important to position the ropes exactly as illustrated before you begin to tie any knot. Positioning
the ropes correctly will allow you to more easily follow the video.

Methods
Only one method of tying each knot or hitch is illustrated in this program. Other resources may
describe how to tie these knots and hitches in different ways.

Definitions
Throughout the video, ropes are often referred to as having a working end and a standing end.
The working end is the end which you will manipulate when tying the knot or hitch. The standing end
is the end which remains immobile.

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TYING KNOTS

SQUARE KNOT:

Use ropes A and C

Remember the phrase: "Right over left and under, left over right and under.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Continued

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Instructions for Tying Knots, continued

SHEET BEND:

Use ropes A and B

Begins like a square knot, but has an extra twist.

1.

2.

Continued

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Instructions for Tying Knots, continued

BOWLINE:

Use rope A

Remember the story: The standing end of the rope is called the tree. Make a small loop in front of
the tree. This is the rabbit hole. The working end of the rope is called the rabbit. The rabbit comes
out of its hole, goes around behind the tree, and back into its hole. To tighten the knot, grasp the tree
with one hand and the rabbit and its tail in the other, and pull.
Without the story: Pass the working end of the rope over the standing end to make a small loop (the
distance from this loop to the working end of the rope will be the approximate circumference of the
finished loop). Bring the working end of the rope up through the loop, pass it around the standing
rope, then drop it back down through the loop. Grasp the working end where it both enters and exits
the loop; pull simultaneously on the standing end.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Continued

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Instructions for Tying Knots, continued

HALF HITCH:

Use rope A

Loop the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. Cross the working end of
the rope under the standing part, bring it up, and drop it down through the loop.

1.

2.

DOUBLE HALF HITCH:

Use rope A

Make a second half hitch immediately below the first.

1.

2.

Continued

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Instructions for Tying Knots, continued

CLOVE HITCH:

Use rope A

Pass the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. Bring the working end to
the front of the post and cross it over the standing part, making an X. Wrap the working end around
the post again, below the first wrap. When you bring the working end back to the front of the post,
push the end under the far leg of the X. The end will come out between the two wraps around
the post.

1.

2.

3.

4.
Continued

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Instructions for Tying Knots, continued

TAUT LINE HITCH:

Use rope A

Pass the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. When you bring the working
end of the rope to the front of the post, wrap it around the standing part of the rope twice. Make the
second wrap closer to the post than the first wrap. Then bring the working end of the rope away from
the post and make a half hitch around the standing part of the rope.

1.

2.

3.

4.

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REVIEW OF KNOTS AND HITCHES

USED TO

CAUTIONS

COMMENTS

Square Knot: Joins two ropes of equal diameter (easiest of all knots to learn)
Join shorter pieces of
rope to make a longer
piece.

Do not use if stress will be

placed on the knot.

Difficult to undo if wet or if

extreme tension has been
applied.

Mend a broken rope.

Tie bundles of things
together.
Finish off lashing projects.
Make a decorative
macram knot.
Tie packages.
Tie a scarf.
Tie a sling, bandage or
splint .
Sheet Bend: Joins two ropes of unequal diameter
Join shorter pieces of
rope to make a longer
piece.

Essentially a square knot with

an extra twist.
Will not slip.

Bowline: Creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope

Secure a guy rope to a tent.

Will not jam or give.

Tie a loop around a rescue

victim.

Expert knot tiers can tie this

around their waist with one
hand!

Create a loop to slip over

a peg or hook.
Hoist or lower objects.

Continued

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Review of Knots and Hitches, continued

USED TO

CAUTIONS

COMMENTS

Half Hitch: Secures the end of a rope after it has been looped around a post or tree, or through a ring
Provides extra holding power
when used in conjunction with
another knot.

Tie up loose end of rope

to prevent it from lying on
the ground.
Haul or pull something.

Double Half Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope

Does not slide as well as a taut
line hitch.

Provide a secure loop

that can be adjusted.
Tie bed rolls.

Clove Hitch: Secures the end of a rope to a post, tree, etc.

Tie the end of a hammock,
beaver bag line or
clothesline.
Hang storage box.
Hang hand-washing unit.

Will not hold on square poles.

Do not use to tether a moving
object, such as a boat or pet.

Is most reliable when constant

tension is exerted on the hitch.
Will not come undone on its
own.

Tugging will loosen the hitch.

Begin a lashing project.

Taut Line Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope
Loop guy lines around a
tent peg.

Hitch slides along the standing

part of the rope.

Secure a beaver bag line,

hammock or clothesline.

Allows tension to be adjusted

without retying the knot.

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

TYPES OF ROPE
Many knots and hitches rely on the ability of the rope to create friction, either when overlapping itself
or when tied around a tree or other object. For this reason, uncoated cotton ropes are best.

TYPE OF ROPE

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Cotton or
Heavy Binders Twine

Creates friction.

Coated Cotton

Resists weathering.

Does not create friction.

Nylon

Durable.

Does not create friction.

When stretched, will return

close to original shape.

Will degrademust be
replaced.

May be difficult to manipulate.

Stretches and does not regain
original shape.

Cotton Blend

Creates friction.
Durable.

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

GAMES
Relay Races
Round 'Em Up: Teams sit or stand in a circle, with player #1 holding a rope and a
short stick. When the name of a knot is called, player #1 must run completely around
the outside of the circle, return to her original position, tie the knot and pass it to the
player to her left. The stick is used if the knot must be tied around an object
(e.g. the clove hitch). The player on the left then unties the knot, runs around the
circle, ties the knot and passes it along. Each player takes a turn until the rope is
returned to player #1. The team that completes the task first wins the game.
Variation: Additional knots can be called. Teams get one point for every knot
they complete first.
Think Fast!: Teams stand in single file behind a line. Each girl has a length of rope. A goal line is designated a short distance away from the start line. A set of cards is placed face down on the goal line
for each team. Each card names a specific knot. All sets of cards are the same. There should be one
card for each girl. On a given signal, the first player on each team runs to the goal line and selects
a card. She must tie the knot designated on the card, set the completed knot and the card across
the goal line, and return to her team. The next player on the team then repeats the process. The first
team that completes the task, with all knots tied correctly, wins.
Sinking Ships: Two parallel lines are drawn on the ground to represent a river.
The banks of the river should be about eight feet apart. Patrols or teams
(must be equal size) line up single file on one of the banks. Patrol/team
leaders stand on the opposite bank with a fifteen-foot piece of rope.
On signal, the leaders throw one end of the rope to the girl who is first
in line for their team. That player ties a bowline around her waist and
the leader pulls her to safety on the other bank. The girl who has
been rescued unties the rope from around her waist and the
leader throws the end to the next girl in line. The first team to rescue all
players wins.

Running Games
Cats' Tail: Before the game begins, out of view of the girls, hide 20-30 six-inch pieces
of heavy string or lightweight rope. Have the girls form teams of equal size. Each team
designates a cat, who is given a piece of string. At the signal, all players except the
cats begin looking for the hidden pieces of string. As each piece is found, it is taken to
the cat, who ties it with a square knot to the end of her string. The team that finishes
with the longest tail wins.

Continued

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

Games, continued

Circle Games
Blindfolds: Girls sit in a circle. Each girl has a piece of rope. On a given signal, each girl closes
her eyes and ties the knot the caller has designated. The first girl who correctly ties the knot wins.
Variation: Girls tie the knots behind their backs.
Simon Says: Each girl has a piece of rope. The player designated as Simon calls out the name of
a knot. The command must begin with the words, Simon Says (e.g. "Simon says: Tie a square knot.").
Each girl must tie the knot that has been called. Any girl who ties the knot incorrectly, ties the wrong
knot or ties a knot when the leader did not say "Simon says" is out.
Parcels: Girls form circles of equal size. Girls take three steps backward
so that there are several feet between each girl. Each team is given butcher
paper, string and an assortment of items to wrap up. On a given signal, one girl
wraps the items in the butcher paper, ties the bundle and tosses it to
the player on her left. The package is tossed from player to player around
the circle. The team whose parcel first arrives, intact, back at the beginning of
the circle wins.

Tests of Mental Skill

What Is It?: Participants form teams and stand in single file. One girl from each
team is designated as the judge for another team. All girls except the judges put
on blindfolds. Each judge receives a set of four tied knots. On signal, the judge
for each team presents one knot to the first person in the line. The player
must identify the knot by touch. If she names the knot correctly, she
scores one point for her team. The judge then presents the other knots to
the other girls on the team. The team scoring the most points wins.

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BASIC KNOTS AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT GUIDE

THE NEXT STEP

Now that you have learned Basic Knots and Hitches, you are ready to register for the following
GSEM adult education courses:
Basic Campcraft Skills: Includes square knot, bowline and clove hitch.
Troop Camp A or B: Includes square knot, sheet bend, bowline, clove hitch and taut line hitch.

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