Get a piece of thick string or twine about 3 feet long (1 meter) that bends easily and doesn't fray. Put some tape around the ends, or tie figure 8 knots (see below) at both ends so that they won't come apart. Now you have a practice rope to learn with.

This 2torial will provide step-by-step instructions for knots with the following uses:

• Securing a line: Half, double-half, and clove hitches

   

• Tying ropes together: Square or reef knots, the sheet-bend

   

• Loops that'll hold fast: The bowline

   

• End knots: The figure 8

Pick the category you most want to learn, skip to that section, and follow the basic steps. Practice tying until you're comfortable, then pick another category. Oh no, knot again!

This 2torial will use the terms dominant and non-dominant hand. What's that, you ask? Your dominant hand is the one you write or throw with, or the one you're more likely to reach out and grab something. Your non-dominant hand is the other one.

With most knots presented here, parts of the line will be referred to as the working end and the free end. The working end is the part of the rope already tied to something-- for example, a dog, a boat, or a kite. The other end, with which most of the manuevering is done, is called the free end of a rope.