Half Hitch

A simple overhand knot will tumble into a half hitch if enough pressure is applied to

either side of it. A half hitch is often used, because of its simplicity, where a different knot would work much better for the task at hand. This knot will bind if enough pressure is put on the standing part of the line and, depending on the material of the line, may require a knife to untie it. For things like clotheslines it really doesn't matter because when you are ready to change the clothesline, it is worn out anyway. The half hitch is very easy and fast to tie, however, it is the nature of this knot to bind when put under a heavy load.

Basic terms used in our knot tying instructions explained here.

How To:

Wrap your rope around the rail, ring or other line that you are tying to.
Take a round turn around the standing part of your line and tuck the bitter end through the loop you created.
Snug it up and you have a single half hitch.
For a double half hitch, take another round turn around the standing part of the line and tuck it through the new loop.
Snug it up and you have a double half hitch.

Some uses for the Half Hitch:

Tent pegs
Tying a tarp down
As a safety hitch for some other knots
Decorative fancy work
Decorative wraps on hand rails
Lashings on a wooden pole or handle to avoid or reinforce a split
Clotheslines
Tying up a hammock

Regardless of the nature of the load, be it static or jerky, the half hitch will just keep getting tighter until the rope fails.

The half hitch is the first of a dozen or so knots you should know to be ready to react positively where any work with cordage is involved. This is one of the easiest, not that any of them are hard, but a knot is either exactly right or it is . . . not! There are many variations and unless you fully understand what will work and what won't, do not stray from what you know.

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This list of knots, either singly or in combination, will serve almost any need you have, be it around the house or in the wilderness.

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