How to Tie a Squareknot!

by Marsh

7.1K2020

Intro: How to Tie a Squareknot!

One way to tie one of the most useful knots around.

20 Comments

J-Five 14 years ago

Right over Left Left over Right It's KNOT hard

MrLouque 13 years ago

"KNOT hard"

*Long sigh*

I see what you did there

J-Five 13 years ago

i couldn't resist

J-Five 12 years ago

If tied correctly the two loops should be able to pull the red and blue ropes apart. Otherwise you tied a granny knot.

J-Five 12 years ago

it's a mnemonic that i learned years ago.

J-Five 13 years ago

it also works left over right then right over left

mikeobtuse 14 years ago

this is absolutely not one of the most useful knots. it is unreliable and has better alternatives

rickw 14 years ago

I agree. Not a great knot. A surgeon's knot is more secure and almost as quick to tie. Sheet bend or double sheet bend is better still.

JParry 14 years ago

Surgeons knots are unbalanced though, you can get similar resuts "stacking" reef knots.

But anyways, not a fan of reef knots, if you want a fast, dirty and strong knot use a double overhand bend. 

Partatoes 14 years ago

if you were going to do one about knots, you should have done the flying figure eight knot or the flying bowline

tw0nst3r 14 years ago

"Top down Bottom up" -or- cross two lines wrap the top line down & around the bottom one cross ends again wrap the bottom line up and around the top one pull tight Just need these knots: square knot half-hitch bowline clove hitch Peace and knotty times

thepelton 14 years ago

You know you've done it right if both sides line up. If one side comes out about 10 degrees out of line with the other, you've made a Granny Knot.

Marsh 14 years ago

It's Also Known As a reef knot. The original Square knot is an interweaving of two "S" shaped pieces of of cord and was generally considered decorative. A common use was a robe closure, back when people wore robes out in public and was tied for the wearer by a footman or hand maiden.

camb00 14 years ago

Hold two ends of rope horizontal>>> Left over right and under right over left and under EASY WAY

matrix43547 14 years ago

I wouldn't say easier... This way is more straightforward to people who haven't tied one before

Kozz 14 years ago

I can tell Kiteman knows his knots. Indeed, starting with a bight could lead to a thief's knot if you're not paying attention. The way I learned was by tying a pair of overhand knots and reciting to myself "right over left, left over right".

Kiteman 14 years ago

...also known as a reef knot.

You don't need to start with a bight, but you do need to be careful to get both free end on the same side, otherwise it becomes a thief knot, which comes apart unexpectedly.