How to Tie Useful Construction Knots

Wrap the working end of the rope around a post or object where other items need to be tied off to or lashed to for a basic hitch knot. The working end is used for making and constructing the knot. Make a full loop around the object. Wrap the working end down and then back up and around the main line at the object. Pull down on the working end to lock the knot. This knot works using friction to lock it into place.

Take two ropes and pull the working ends next to each other. Make bites at the end of each working end. A bite is a loop made on the rope. Wrap one bite around the other to make an enclosed square knot, also called a reef knot. Pull back on the loose working ends of each loop to lock the ropes together. Use this knot when lashing two different ropes together.

Make a noose knot when a "stopper knot" is needed. Stopper knots are used to secure ropes to static objects or to tow an object. Make a coil at the working end of the rope. Make a second coil and bring it over the first to make the shape of a pretzel. Pull the working end through the second curve on the pretzel and pull it back. Wrap the big bite-loop over the static object and pull the working end all of the way back to tighten completely.

Use a clove hitch for quick and secure tension knots on a fixed object. Wrap the working end around the fixed object and pull tight. Make a coil in the rope below the working end wrap and coil it up and over the fixed object, on top of the first coil. Slide the working end under the first bite-loop on the coil and pull tight. This is a tension knot that comes loose as soon as tension is removed from the rope.