Download Article
Download Article
The bowline is the "King of Knots" in the boating world. [1] X Research source The bowline, pronounced 'Bowlin' not 'bow-line', is secure, easy to make and unties easily even after being subjected to a heavy load. Follow these simple steps to learn how to tie a basic and running bowline, as well as how to untie them.
Steps
-
Use a mnemonic to remember how to tie the knot. Think of the loop as a "rabbit's hole" and the string end coming off the loop as a "tree". Imagine the other loose end of the string, which you're holding in your right hand, is the "rabbit". The rabbit comes up the hole, runs around the tree, and goes back down the hole.
- Another way to remember how to make this knot is with a rhyme:
"Lay the bight to make a hole
Then under the back and around the pole
Over the top and through the eye
Clinch it tight and let it lie" [2] X Research source
- Another way to remember how to make this knot is with a rhyme:
-
Hold one end of the rope in your left hand. This will be your ‘standing end’ or the end that does not move (consider this end the ‘hole’ and the ‘tree’.) Hold the other end in your right hand (this is the free end--the end of the rope that will be used to form the knot, or the ‘rabbit.’)Make a small loop with the end of the string in your left hand. This loop is the ‘hole’ the rabbit comes out of. [3] X Research source- These instructions assume you start with an "underhand" loop, so that the free end of the string is under the intersection formed by the loop. [4] X Research source
Advertisement -
Draw the end of the string in your right hand (the rabbit) through the loop made by your left hand (the hole. ) The end should be coming towards you as it goes through the loop. Think of this as the rabbit coming out of its hole. [5] X Research source
-
Bring the ‘rabbit’ end around (behind) the string. This string is the part pointing upwards from the loop (the ‘tree’.) Pull the ‘rabbit’ back through the loop and down into the ‘hole’. This time the end is going away from you.
-
Take the top loose string in your left hand. Hold the other end in your right hand and pull the ends in opposite directions to tighten the knot.
Advertisement
-
Run your rope around the thing you wish to tie your knot around. In particular, if you are in a boat and would like to secure your boat to a pole or piling, this is the way to do it. It also work for securing a rope to a pole on any occasion (it could even work for hanging up a hammock.) [6] X Research source
-
Form a loop with the running end. The running end is the end of the rope that is not connected to your boat, horse, etc. It is the end you will use to form the knot. Make a large, loose loop with the running end so that the tip of the rope hangs over the standing end (the part of the rope that your knot gets tied around.
-
Pull the tip of the running end so that it goes around the standing end. It should go over the standing end and then back up from under the standing end.
-
Pull the tip of the running end up through the loop you made previously. The tip should then continue up through the hole and around itself (around the straight part of the rope that leads to the loop you formed.)
-
Pull the tip back through the hole. The tip should go down into the loop after you have sent it up and over itself. Pull the tip through so that it pokes out of the hole for a couple of inches.
-
Pull on the standing end to secure the knot. Pulling on the standing end will slide the knot up to the pole.
-
Once the knot is flush against the pole, pulling on the standing end will make the knot tighter.
Advertisement
-
Undo a bowline knot. No matter how tight the knot has been pulled, one needs only to "break its back:"
-
Locate the spot where the "running" end loops around the “standing” part. The running end is the end with which you tie the knot (the ‘rabbit.) The standing end is the ‘tree’ around which the ‘rabbit’ runs. This spot where the ‘rabbit’ loops around the ‘tree’ forms the shape of a cross. [7] X Research source
-
Push the loop up the standing part with your thumbs. You should push the loop away from the knot so that the back of the knot 'breaks'. This will release tension on the loop securing the running end and allow the knot to be untied.
-
Pull the knot apart once the knot has loosened. It may help to push the two sides of the knot together so that there is absolutely no tension on the rope while you pull the knot apart.
Advertisement
Video
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- For safety, the loose end should be as long as 12 times the circumference of the thickness of the rope. For even more security, a half-hitch added to the tail of the knot will prevent the finished product from slipping.Thanks
- If you are a fan of the movie JAWS, you might remember Quint's instructions: "Little brown eel comes out of the cave... Swims into the hole... Comes out of the hole... Goes back into the cave again."Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- This knot can't be untied while there is a load on its standing end.Thanks
- Do not use this knot for heavy loads or climbing.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ http://www.animatedknots.com/bowline
- ↑ http://www.realknots.com/knots/sloops.htm
- ↑ https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/bowline
- ↑ http://www.animatedknots.com/bowline/
- ↑ https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/bowline
- ↑ http://www.animatedknots.com/bowlinerunning/
- ↑ http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/knotsjaden.htm
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To tie a standard bowline knot, hold the standing end of the rope in your left hand and the free end of the rope in your right hand, and make a small loop with the free end passing over the rope. Then, pull the free end through the loop that you just made. Once the free end is through the loop, pass the free end behind the standing end and thread it back through the loop. Pull both ends of the rope to secure it! If you want to learn more, like how to undo your knots when you're finished, keep reading the article!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 616,695 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Steps east to follow, explained clearly while demonstrating, and instructor's hands did not interfere with my view. Perfect for geriatrics like me who learn best by a combination of effective audio-visual. Thank you!" ..." more
Advertisement
82%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"Steps east to follow, explained clearly while demonstrating, and instructor's hands did not interfere with my view. Perfect for geriatrics like me who learn best by a combination of effective audio-visual. Thank you!"
..."
more
"I need to trust myself hanging a swing on the porch for my 6 month old granddaughter. This article is clear and trustworthy. Thank you!"
..."
more
"I wanted to save a broken dog leash so I relearned the bowline knot which I knew when I was a boy. Thanks for the great lesson."
..."
more
"This helped me learn how to tie a bowline knot."
"Excellent and clear instructions. Thank you!"
