Page 108 - The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots

ROUND TURN & TWO HALF-HITCHES

Purpose

This is a tried-and-trusted, relatively strong and secure, attachment for a line of
any kind to a fixed anchorage point.

Tying

Insert a ring, rail, post or other object through an overhand knot and what results
is known as a half-hitch (figure 1). A single half-hitch is inadequate, but add a

second identical one for a satisfactory hitch (figure 2). For greater strength and
reliability, first form a round turn and then add the two half-hitches (figure 3).

Knot lore

The first mention of this knot was by David Steel in his Elements and Practice
of Rigging and Seamanship (1794).