Page 62 - The Pocket Guide to Outdoor Knots

SIMPLE OVERHAND KNOT

Purpose

This basic knot is used to stop any kind of line, from a cotton thread to a heavy-
duty tow-rope, from pulling out of whatever work it is employed to do, whether

that is assembling a block-and-tackle, attaching cord to a toddler’s pull-along

toy, or re-stringing a musical instrument. It can also act in a first aid capacity to
prevent a line from fraying.

Tying
Simply make a loop, pull the working end through and then tighten the resulting

knot (figures 1–3). Observe how the twin knot parts spiral to the right or
clockwise. All knots have a mirror image; in this instance, it is one in which the

knot parts spiral to the left or counter-clockwise (figures 4–6). Tie whichever
comes naturally. It is essential to recognize and be able to reproduce whichever

is required, however, as some knots (such as the fisherman’s knot) must only be

tied with a pair of overhand knots of identical handedness. Others—like the reef
knot (page 40)—need a couple of half-knots of opposite-handedness.