12 Beginner's Knots

While most beginner or essential knot videos generally include 6 to 10 different knots, I have made my list to expand to 12 knots that I feel fall into the beginner's realm. I have also included several other knots that are very closely related to these essential knots. This list is meant as a beginner's guide to knots for those that are interested in learning more complex knots. I have provided a time stamp list for ease of navigation through this video. I hope you can find this video helpful.

1:02 Overhand Knot / Overhand Loop Knot
2:01 Half Hitch
3:17 Two Half Hitches
4:01 Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
4:47 Clove Hitch
5:59 Cow Hitch / Pedigree Cow Hitch/ Girth Hitch
7:24 Square Knot / Granny Knot
8:42 Sheet Bend / Double Sheet Bend
10:03 Figure 8 Knot / Figure 8 Loop Knot
11:37 Marline Spike
12:55 Bowline
14:03 Taut Line Hitch / Rolling Hitch

[txtoolcrib]

1:02 Overhand Knot / Overhand Loop Knot
2:01 Half Hitch
3:17 Two Half Hitches
4:01 Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
4:47 Clove Hitch
5:59 Cow Hitch / Pedigree Cow Hitch/ Girth Hitch
7:24 Square Knot / Granny Knot
8:42 Sheet Bend / Double Sheet Bend
10:03 Figure 8 Knot / Figure 8 Loop Knot
11:37 Marline Spike
12:55 Bowline
14:03 Taut Line Hitch / Rolling Hitch

[barrybaldwin]

I have viewed many knot channels on YT over the years, but your more elaborate explanations make the motions more understandable. Thanks for being you. I used to teach Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts rope tying using 6 foot sections of twisted sisal rope, where they would loop the rope around their waist like a belt & tie the knots right in front of their body. I had great success using this method, but there would always be a kid or two who just didn't have the aptitude for remembering certain knots during the testing.

[joeroberson]

You are so clear in your instructions. I knew most of these and still watched recognizing your skill in teaching.

[hxqing]

如此对学生用心指导的老师，是有心要做老师者的典范。
有这样的气质，必受人尊敬。

[swnorcraft]

I hadn't thought of it till I read all the comments, but Otto Tater had a valid point when he asked for a use for said knot....nuff said. This was a very good explanation of how to tie the knots you chose. Everyone has their own opinion of the value of certain knots. I'm certainly glad you chose to show the figure 8, thanks. And now to the I don't know if anyone else has observed, but the Bowline and the Sheet Bend are one and the same knot. The thing that differentiates them is the Bowline is tied in the end of a rope and the Sheet Bend is used to join two ropes. Both of these can be finished with a loop, effectively making them "slippery knots", meaning easy to untie. I discovered the "Slippery Sheet Bend" on my own looking for a better way to fasten the continuous loop on my hammock ends to the hammock suspension ropes. I later discovered that this iteration of the Sheet Bend is called the Beckett Hitch. I discovered your channel while researching multitools.
You give excellent reviews of them. I have yet to discover the follow up (after a period of use and abuse) video of the Ozark Trail Multiforce. I may have missed it. Thanks for a great

[guloguloguy]

THANK YOU!, FOR ALL OF THE GREAT DEMOS, AND EXPLANATIONS!!! IT'S ALWAS GOOD TO REVIEW THE BASICS, AND, TO DO THEM, TO KEEP THE LITTLE GRAY CELLS WORKING!!..

[JohnSmith]

Amazing, and this is free. Thank you!!!

[KLife]

A falconry 🦅 knot or falconers knot was one that I found I used more than most. Unless I needed to climb or need high tension.
Great share and even better explanations.

[dave.in.oregon]

Reminds me of all the knots my two sons learned in Scouting. Proudly both are Eagle Scouts now (and I still challenge them to see if they remember their knots... often they do).

[narkfly]

Thank you for talking about how the taut line hitch doesn't work as well with stiffer rope. Had to learn this the hard way.

[bjfulmer]

Thank you so much.

I have watched many videos instructing how to tie knots and your are the best and easiest to follow.

But what I can't find are any videos that will show you how to tie down a load, such as starting at one end, criss-crossing over a load inside a pickup, using a very long continuous rope without having to pull all that line through when trying a knot, using a bite.

If you have a lot of rope, this can be quite cumbersome to tie and untie.

[allemander]

I. Like. Big. Knots and I cannot lie…😎

[skeetersaurus]

FYI...the Bowline knot is THE KNOT when SCUBA diving, for most-any gear, line, etc. tie-off you plan on using. In fact, if you go through professional (saturation) diving school, you MUST be able to tie this knot, ON GEAR, while below water and wearing a 'black-out mask'...to simulate zero underwater visibility. Try doing it blindfolded, and know that every saturation diver out there uses this SPECIFIC knot, and can tie it very proficiently 'in-the-dark'...and most likely does, routinely.

[billjackson]

I think you should have explained and shown that the bowline and figure of eight knots are especially valuable because you have easy ways to loosen/ untie them after they have been pulled really tight.
An overhand loop or stopper knot is 90% as strong as the bowline or figure right, but almost impossible to untie after stressed.

[larryfulton]

Thanks Ben, you are the MAN, thank you for an excellent video!

[TroopLeader]

Bravo. Well done! One comment re the rolling hitch:: the strain should be applied in the direction against the side where the two (or more) turns were taken around the pole.

[brucejohnson]

My favourite is the buntline hitch over the two-half-hitches. It is like two half hitches tied on top in reverse, but way more secure and can be tied non-slipped or slipped.

[TheArlberg]

Very fine presentation, easy to follow!

[tgeliot]

I wish the descriptions gave us more help on deciding which knot to use for which application. For example, we learn three ways to make a fixed loop, but are given no guidance on choosing among them. Similarly for hitches around fixed objects.

[princessgraceganob]

Very awesome and easy to understand, two thumbs up Sir...