Round Turn & 2 Half Hitches

A round turn and two half hitches tied around a gray pole.

This is almost certainly the knot with the most awkward and most useful name. It’s our favorite way to tie off to furniture.

When to use it

This is a secure, easy to tie hitch that is moderaly resistant to jamming. It’s a good choice for attaching to any inanimate object.

It’s not jam-resitant enough to be used for tying off vertical lines in suspension, however.

The friction of the round turn increases jam resistance and is very helpful when tying off a squirming load.

Step by step

A single blue rope enters from the left, crosses under a vertical gray pole, and turns back toward the left.

1Go under and around the pole.

The rope wraps once around the pole, moving upward. It now makes a spiral shape going up the pole, with the end again pointing toward the left.

2Go around the pole a second time.

This is called a round turn.

The working end crosses under the standing end, then turns toward the pole and crosses over the standing end and then under itself, making a half hitch.

3Make a half hitch by going under and around the standing part, then under the working end.

The half hitch has been snugged into place. The rope enters the frame from the left, makes two tight wraps around the pole, and finishes with a tidy half hitch.

4Snug the half hitch into place.

The rope makes a second half hitch by crossing under the standing end, moving back toward the pole, crossing over the standing end, and going under itself.

5Make a second half hitch.

6Snug the second half hitch.

CAUTION: this knot constricts when you pull on the rope. That makes it great for attaching to furniture but terrible for attaching directly to a person.

Notes for nerds

References and naming

This knot is ABOK # 1720

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