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| January's Knot: Square Knot |
Uses: The Square Knot also known as the Reef Knot is used to tie
two ends of a single line together so they will secure something
that is unlikely to move much. It lies flat when tied with cloth, and
has been used for bandages for hundreds of years. It is also used
decoratively and to tie the Obi (or belt) of a martial arts keikogi.
Finally, it is quite handy for tying plastic garbage or trash bags, as
the knot forms a handle when tied in two twisted "ears".
This knot's name originates from its use to "reef" sails (tie part
down to decrease effective surface area), where its easy-spilling
behavior was very handy. A sailor could collapse it with a pull of
one hand; the sail's weight would make the collapsed knot come
apart.
The reef knot can capsize (spill) when one of the free ends is
pulled outward. The reef knot's ease of tying and visually
appealing symmetry belie its weakness. It is popular as a
general-purpose binding knot. In particular, it figures prominently
in Scouting worldwide: each Scout is said to know the square knot,
and it is pictured in the international membership badge.
The International Guild of Knot Tyers warns that this knot should
never be used to bend two ropes together. Some knotting guides
claim that misused reef knots cause more deaths and injuries than
all other knots combined.
The sheet bend, and in some cases the fisherman's knot, are simple
binding knots that can replace the reef knot. Additionally, the
zeppelin bend works very well, though it is somewhat more
difficult to tie.
Source: Wikipedia
two ends of a single line together so they will secure something
that is unlikely to move much. It lies flat when tied with cloth, and
has been used for bandages for hundreds of years. It is also used
decoratively and to tie the Obi (or belt) of a martial arts keikogi.
Finally, it is quite handy for tying plastic garbage or trash bags, as
the knot forms a handle when tied in two twisted "ears".
This knot's name originates from its use to "reef" sails (tie part
down to decrease effective surface area), where its easy-spilling
behavior was very handy. A sailor could collapse it with a pull of
one hand; the sail's weight would make the collapsed knot come
apart.
The reef knot can capsize (spill) when one of the free ends is
pulled outward. The reef knot's ease of tying and visually
appealing symmetry belie its weakness. It is popular as a
general-purpose binding knot. In particular, it figures prominently
in Scouting worldwide: each Scout is said to know the square knot,
and it is pictured in the international membership badge.
The International Guild of Knot Tyers warns that this knot should
never be used to bend two ropes together. Some knotting guides
claim that misused reef knots cause more deaths and injuries than
all other knots combined.
The sheet bend, and in some cases the fisherman's knot, are simple
binding knots that can replace the reef knot. Additionally, the
zeppelin bend works very well, though it is somewhat more
difficult to tie.
Source: Wikipedia
Why I chose the Square Knot? Because if ts the most widely used knot in Scouting. It is
also the first knot learned as Cub Scouts. It has been used for thousands of years for
many different uses but is most recognized in Scouting.
How to tie the Square Knot: You begin with 2 ends of your rope. Remember the phrase :
"Right over left, left over right" or vise versa.
Make an X with the right end on top. Make an "X" with the rope ends, with the right end on
top.
Tie an overhand knot. Tie an overhand knot, twisting the right end around the left end.
Make an X with the new left on top. With the "new" right and left, put the left over the right.
Tie an overhand knot. Tie another overhand knot.
Tighten. Pull tightly.
also the first knot learned as Cub Scouts. It has been used for thousands of years for
many different uses but is most recognized in Scouting.
How to tie the Square Knot: You begin with 2 ends of your rope. Remember the phrase :
"Right over left, left over right" or vise versa.
Make an X with the right end on top. Make an "X" with the rope ends, with the right end on
top.
Tie an overhand knot. Tie an overhand knot, twisting the right end around the left end.
Make an X with the new left on top. With the "new" right and left, put the left over the right.
Tie an overhand knot. Tie another overhand knot.
Tighten. Pull tightly.
Source: WikiHow
Animations courtesy of Troop
346 in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
346 in Minnetonka, Minnesota.