Knots & Lashings
Learn the knots and lashings that show up on every campout. Practice them until you can tie each one behind your back.
Knots
The everyday knots a Trailman reaches for — joining ropes, tying off to anchors, holding tension on guy lines, and rigging quick fixes in camp.
Step-by-step diagrams courtesy of knotinstructions.com.
Use for: Joining two ropes of equal diameter; securing bandages and bundles. Not for life-critical loads.
Instructions
- Hold one rope end in each hand.
- Cross the right end over the left and tuck it under — you now have a half knot.
- Now cross the same end (now on the left) over the right and tuck it under.
- Pull all four strands tight. Remember: right over left, then left over right.
Use for: A fixed loop at the end of a rope that won't slip or jam — rescue loop, tying around a tree.
Instructions
- Lay the rope across your palm and form a small overhand loop a couple of feet from the end (the 'rabbit hole').
- Bring the working end up through the loop from underneath — the rabbit comes out of the hole.
- Pass the working end behind the standing line — around the tree.
- Bring the working end back down through the original loop — back down the hole.
- Hold the loop and pull the standing line to tighten.
Use for: A simple securing hitch used to finish other knots or tie off a line. Pair two for a reliable fastening.
Instructions
- Pass the working end around the post, rail, or ring and bring it back alongside the standing part.
- Make a loop with the working end going around the standing part.
- Tuck the working end through that loop from front to back and pull snug.
Use for: An adjustable loop that holds tension — tent and tarp guy lines.
Instructions
- Pass the working end around the stake or anchor point and back toward the standing line.
- Wrap the working end around the standing line twice, going inside the loop (toward the anchor) both times.
- Then wrap once more around the standing line, this time outside the loop (away from the anchor).
- Tuck the working end through that last wrap and pull snug.
- Slide the knot along the standing line to adjust tension; it grips when loaded.
Use for: A quick hitch to a pole or rail; the start and finish of most lashings.
Instructions
- Wrap the rope around the pole once.
- Cross the working end diagonally over the standing line and wrap around the pole a second time.
- Tuck the working end under the diagonal wrap.
- Pull both ends to tighten.
Use for: Dragging or hoisting a log; the starting knot for a diagonal lashing.
Instructions
- Pass the working end around the log.
- Wrap the working end around the standing line, then tuck it back around itself.
- Take three or four wraps of the working end around itself, all in the same direction.
- Pull the standing line to snug the wraps against the log.
Use for: Joining two ropes of unequal diameter (or different materials) more securely than a square knot.
Instructions
- Form a bight (a U-shape) in the thicker rope.
- Pass the working end of the thinner rope up through the bight from underneath.
- Wrap the thinner rope around the back of both sides of the bight.
- Tuck the thinner rope's working end under itself — on the same side as its standing line.
- Pull all four strands tight.
Lashings
Lashings tie poles together to build camp gadgets — washstands, flag poles, gateways, towers. Both core lashings start and end with a clove hitch.
Step-by-step diagrams courtesy of knotinstructions.com.
Use for: Binding two poles that cross at a right angle — the backbone of camp gadgets and gateways.
Instructions
- Start with a clove hitch on the vertical pole just below the crossing.
- Take three full wraps around both poles, going outside the previous wrap on the vertical and inside on the horizontal so the wraps lie flat.
- Take three frapping turns between the poles, pulling the wraps tight against each other.
- Finish with a clove hitch on the horizontal pole.
Use for: Binding two poles that cross but don't touch — pulls them together (e.g., bracing a tower).
Instructions
- Start with a timber hitch around both poles on the diagonal.
- Pull tight to draw the poles together.
- Take three wraps in one diagonal direction, then three in the other.
- Take three frapping turns between the poles.
- Finish with a clove hitch on one of the poles.
A printable reference from the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Free to share for educational and scouting use — great to stash in a pack or post on the troop bulletin board.