Clove hitch

Clove hitch
Category	Hitch
Origin	Ancient
Related	Slippery hitch, Two half-hitches, Buntline hitch, Cow hitch, Constrictor knot, Ground-line hitch, Lashings, Snuggle hitch
Releasing	Jamming
Typical use	Securing lines running along a series of posts, belaying, starting lashings, weak binding
Caveat	Can spill if the standing part is pulled forcibly in the wrong direction
ABoK	#11, #53, #69, #70, #204, #400, #421, #437, #1176, #1177, #1178, #1179, #1180, #1245, #1773, #1774, #1775, #1776, #1778, #1779, #1814, #2079, #2541, #2542, #2543, #2544, #2546, #2547, #2548
Instructions	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwdZTHu5rTI

The clove hitch is a type of knot. Along with the bowline and the sheet bend, it is often considered one of the most important knots and is commonly referred to as a Double Hitch.^[1] A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. It is most effectively used as a crossing knot. It can be used as a binding knot, but is not particularly secure in that role.^[2] A clove hitch made around the rope's own standing part is known as either two half-hitches or buntline hitch, depending on whether the turns of the clove hitch progress away from or towards the hitched object.

Usage

This knot is particularly useful where the length of the running end needs to be adjustable, since feeding in rope from either direction will loosen the knot to be tightened at a new position. With certain types of cord, the clove hitch can slip when loaded. In modern climbing rope, the clove hitch will slip to a point, and then stop slipping.^[3] With smaller diameter cords, after being heavily weighted it may become difficult to untie. It is also unreliable when used on a square or rectangular post, rather than round.

The clove hitch is also commonly used in pioneering to start and finish a lashing such as the traditional square lashing, tripod lashing, round lashing and sheer lashing.^[4]

Tying

There are several methods of tying it using both hands^[5][6][7][8] or one hand ^{[9][10][11][12]}

See also

• List of knots

References

1. ↑ Cassidy 1985, The Klutz Book of Knots
2. ↑ Clifford W. Ashley, The Ashley Book of Knots (New York: Doubleday, 1944), 224.
3. ↑ "GEIR HUNDAL". 
4. ↑ "Lashing INFORMATION". www.scoutpioneering.com. Retrieved 2013-05-12. 
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jjwTSIAmoQ on the working end method
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scL1QXMrB4s with half hitches over object end
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ERr3eIros on the bight arms crossed in one move
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FaAflrFPJY on the bight with two loops, front one moved back
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8qSoIY6FPc one handed clove hitch on the bight, pinky and thumb
10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0SHTNLjsRI one handed clove hitch on the bight both ends hanging
11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hlzb1ROOlM one handed clove hitch on the bight to vertical rope
12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a58xEj9EG4c one handed clove hitch on the bight into carabiner

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clove hitches.

• Grog. "How to tie the clove hitch". Animated Knots. 
• Notable Knot Index - shows quick method of tying
• Hitch Knots - including instructions
• The Misunderstood Clove Hitch - illustrations and stories