Clove hitch
Encyclopedia
A clove hitch is a type of knot
. Along with the bowline
and the sheet bend
, it is often considered one of the most essential 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 line itself is known as either two half-hitches
or buntline hitch
, depending on whether the half-hitches progress away from or towards the object.
as shown at right, pass the end around the pole starting at the right, with the end coming around below. Put the end around in the same direction to cross over the standing end to be above the first loop. As the end comes around, put it under itself to be over the standing end. To start on the left side, the end comes around over the standing end, crossing it by wrapping below, then comes around to go under itself below the standing end. Check that both ends are in the middle, emerging in opposite directions. Pull to tighten. When pulled tighter, the rope passing over itself binds it in place.
It can also be formed in the middle of a rope, if the end of the object is there. One way is to form two overhand loops
in the rope. If both have the working end passing over the standing line, slide the second loop underneath the first one. If you made both loops with the working end under the standing line, slide the second loop over the first one. Drop both loops together onto the end of the object. Another way is to make a loop over the end of the object so that the working end is below. Twist the next loop with the working end again under, and slip it over the object. Before tightening, be sure that both ends are in the middle, emerging in opposite directions. This way of tying a clove hitch is used for instance at belay stations of multi-pitch climbs.
Knot
A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...
. Along with the bowline
Bowline
The bowline 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. The bowline is sometimes referred as King of the knots because of its importance...
and the sheet bend
Sheet bend
The sheet bend is a bend, that is, a knot that joins two ropes together. Doubled, it is effective in binding lines of different diameter or rigidity securely together, although it has a tendency to work loose when not under load.The sheet bend is related in structure to the bowline...
, it is often considered one of the most essential knots. A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches
Half hitch
The half hitch is a simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and under the standing part. Insecure on its own, it is a valuable component of a wide variety of useful and reliable hitches, bends, and knots....
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 line itself is known as either two half-hitches
Two half-hitches
The two half-hitches is a type of knot, specifically a binding knot or hitch knot. It consists of an overhand knot tied around a post, followed by a half-hitch...
or buntline hitch
Buntline hitch
The buntline hitch is a knot used for attaching a rope to an object. It is formed by looping the rope around an object, then making a clove hitch around the rope's standing part, taking care to tie the two half-hitches that compose the clove hitch in the direction of the object, rather than away...
, depending on whether the half-hitches progress away from or towards the 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. The clove hitch can slip when loaded. 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.Tying
To tie a clove hitch at the end of a ropeRope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
as shown at right, pass the end around the pole starting at the right, with the end coming around below. Put the end around in the same direction to cross over the standing end to be above the first loop. As the end comes around, put it under itself to be over the standing end. To start on the left side, the end comes around over the standing end, crossing it by wrapping below, then comes around to go under itself below the standing end. Check that both ends are in the middle, emerging in opposite directions. Pull to tighten. When pulled tighter, the rope passing over itself binds it in place.
Loop (knot)
In reference to knots, loop may refer to:* One of the fundamental structures used to tie knots. Specifically, it is a full circle formed by passing the working end over itself.* A type of knot used to create a closed circle in a line....
in the rope. If both have the working end passing over the standing line, slide the second loop underneath the first one. If you made both loops with the working end under the standing line, slide the second loop over the first one. Drop both loops together onto the end of the object. Another way is to make a loop over the end of the object so that the working end is below. Twist the next loop with the working end again under, and slip it over the object. Before tightening, be sure that both ends are in the middle, emerging in opposite directions. This way of tying a clove hitch is used for instance at belay stations of multi-pitch climbs.
Other Uses
The clove hitch is commonly used in scouting to start and finish a lashing such as the square lashing, diagonal lashing, and sheer lashing.External links
- Grog's Animated Knots: How to tie the clove hitch
- Notable Knot Index - shows quick method of tying
- Hitch Knots - including instructions
