Knot atlas / No. 01
Reef Knot
Joins two ends of the same line, the classic knot for tying a bundle or a parcel.
The Reef set
Tying card
Tie a Reef
The same steps as the card in our tie-your-own cord box. Practise with any piece of string.
No. 01 · Reef Knot
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Step 1 / 5Right over left
Hold one end in each hand and cross the right (blue) end over the left (tan) end.
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Step 2 / 5Under and up
Wrap the blue end under the tan end and bring it back up; this is a half knot, and each end returns to its own side.
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Step 3 / 5Left over right
Now cross the end on the left (tan) over the end on the right (blue).
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Step 4 / 5Under and through
Wrap the tan end under the blue end and up through the opening, then lay the knot flat: each line now forms a U-shaped bight, and the two bights are hooked through each other.
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Step 5 / 5Pull tight
Pull both lines to close the bights. Both tan parts leave on one side and both blue parts on the other, each pair lying over the other bight; if one part of a pair runs over and the other under, it is a granny knot.
The other knots
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01
Reef Knot
Joins two ends of the same line, the classic knot for tying a bundle or a parcel. 10 pieces -
02
Figure Eight
A stopper knot: tied at the end of a line so it cannot slip back through a hole or a block. 9 pieces -
03
Bowline
Makes a fixed loop at the end of a line that will not slip or jam, and is easy to untie. 8 pieces -
04
Clove Hitch
Ties a line quickly to a post or a rail with two crossing turns. 7 pieces -
05
Sheet Bend
Joins two lines, even when one is thicker than the other. 8 pieces -
06
Monkey's Fist
Wraps the end of a line into a neat, round ball of turns. 7 pieces -
07
Carrick Bend
Joins two heavy lines; when laid flat it shows an even, woven pattern. 7 pieces -
08
Overhand Knot
The simplest knot: one loop with the end passed through it, the base of many other knots. 8 pieces -
09
Turk's Head
A decorative woven ring of rope, tied around a rail, a handle or a wrist. 8 pieces