A rope or piece of heavy string about 3 feet (1 meter) to practice on--a section of common laundry line works well

2 - 5 minutes to learn each knot

1/2 hour or longer to practice

Seconds to tie once you are a pro!

2torial #0540: Learn2 Tie Basic Knots Knot now, I'm all tied up ... Gnarled knotting have you in a bind? Do you get side-tracked by a simple square knot? Want to learn the loops that'll link those lines? This 2torial untangles the basics of nine knots that make life easier. Get a piece of thick string or twine about 3 feet long (1 meter) that bends easily and doesn't fray. Put some tape around the ends, or tie figure 8 knots (see below) at both ends so that they won't come apart. Now you have a practice rope to learn with. This 2torial will provide step-by-step instructions for knots with the following uses: Securing a line: Half, double-half, and clove hitches   Tying ropes together: Square or reef knots, the sheet-bend   Loops that'll hold fast: The bowline   End knots: The figure 8 Pick the category you most want to learn, skip to that section, and follow the basic steps. Practice tying until you're comfortable, then pick another category. Oh no, knot again! This 2torial will use the terms dominant and non-dominant hand. What's that, you ask? Your dominant hand is the one you write or throw with, or the one you're more likely to reach out and grab something. Your non-dominant hand is the other one. With most knots presented here, parts of the line will be referred to as the working end and the free end. The working end is the part of the rope already tied to something-- for example, a dog, a boat, or a kite. The other end, with which most of the manuevering is done, is called the free end of a rope. Knot 1