Knots

Knots are an inevitable part of sailing. They are required for most parts of rigging. There are thousands of knots, divided roughly into practical knots, decorative knots (often called "fancywork"), or both.

If you don't want your knots to be called "granny knot", or - in a less sexist manner - "false knot", you need to learn the proper way to tie them. It means that they need to be:

mechanically suited to the task, and
easy to untie.

It might be useful to learn some terminology before you try out the knots that we'll present to you here, so...

FREE END (or a BITTER END) - is the short end of the line: this will be used for actually tying the knot.
STANDING PART - this is the long end of the line: this will be under load.

Between these two parts you will have a knot.

BIGHT - is an open curve in a line.
LOOP (sometimes called an EYE) - when a bight is closed (that is, when it crosses the line).
OVERHAND LOOP - a loop passing over the standing part.
UNDERHAND LOOP - a loop passing under the standing part.
TWIST - sort of self explanatory: the line is twisted around another.

And now... let's tie some knots!

Figure 8 Knot

It's often referred to as "stopper knot", or "stop knot", because it is used to stop the end of the line from pulling out of a block or a cleat. The name "figure 8" is derived from the fact that the knot looks like an 8.

Pass the line through a block, or a cleat.
Make an overhand loop with the free end.
Twist the line around the standing part, making a second loop.
Pass the free end down through the original loop.
Tighten it.

Figure 8 Knot

Square Knot

This knot is often used to tie two lines of similar thickness and materials together, for example, when lengthening dock lines, or an anchor line. Often referred to as the "reef knot", because it was originally used to tie reefing lines.

Take one line in your right hand, and the other in left.
Bring the left-hand line over the right.
Twist the former left-hand line around the back.
Bring the new right-hand line over the left.
Twist it around the back.
Tighten it.
The knot should look symmetrical, and it shouldn't slip.

Sheet bend

This knot is a variation of the square knot, but it can be used for tying lines of different thickness.

Form a bight, and push the thinner line through.
Bring the free end of the thin line down, behind the thick line.
Take the thin line up, over the thick line, forming an underhand loop with itself.
Pull both lines tight.
Use a double loop for stronger hold. (See the second picture.)

Clove Hitch

It is used to secure a line around a post, or a piling.

Pass the line once around the post.
Pass the line around again, this time going over the original line.
Tuck the line under the crossing.
Tighten it.

You may make a "figure 8" knot at the end of the free end, so that it will be less likely to untie.

Bowline

It's probably the most popular knot in the sailing world. If you want to learn only one knot - learn this one! The eye (the hole resulting from closing a bight) will not slip.

Make an overhand loop (eye).
Pass the free end through the eye, to form a larger eye.
Pass the free end beneath the standing part (making an underhand loop).
Bring the free end through the first eye again.
Pull the free end tight.

The last picture is a left handed bowline.