Page 12 - Geoffrey Budworth, Jason Dalton "The Little Book of Incredibly Useful Knots"

Square knot

The square knot is used to join two lines of the same thickness and material. The knot starts

with a simple overhand (see page 292), followed by another in reverse. Incorrectly tying this knot
will result in a “granny knot,” which is much weaker and should be avoided. The square knot
will slip if tension is not kept on it, and should be “backed up” (see page 15) whenever possible.

Begin by overlaying the two lines (1). Pass the working end once around the other line and bring

the ends to the top (2). Then pass the working end once more around the other line, in the
opposite direction to the first step (3). An easy way to tie this knot (4) correctly every time is to
remember “left over right, right over left” when forming the overhands.