Page 73 - Geoffrey Budworth, Jason Dalton "The Little Book of Incredibly Useful Knots"

One-handed bowline

Having learned to tie a bowline whatever way comes easiest, it is helpful to master this one-

handed method. A time-honored exhortation to all those working afloat, up trees, or in any
other precarious position is “Use one hand for the job, but keep the other for yourself.” In other
words, hold on. This technique is for those situations.

Make a loop of the required size, crossing the end over its standing part (1). Then, with a rolling

action of hand and wrist, tuck the working end down, around, and up through the large loop; this
action creates a smaller loop (2). Still gripping the end, slip the hand up through this secondary
loop (3), pass the working end around the standing part, and pull it back down through the small
loop (4, 5). For extra security, tie the end to the nearest loop leg with an overhand knot (6).