Slipped Half Hitch

A one inch gray pole crosses the frame from top to bottom. A single strand of blue rope enters from the left and is tied around the pole in a slipped half hitch. A bight of rope exits the top of the knot, and the single end of the rope exits the bottom of the knot.

A slipped half hitch is a half hitch that has been tied with a bight rather than the end of the rope. The advantage of the slipped half hitch is that it can be untied by pulling on the end of the rope, which makes it easier to undo a jammed knot.

When to use it

A slipped half hitch can be tied anywhere you are worried about jamming.

It can be tied on its own, but it’s most commonly used to “slip” a larger knot like two half hitches.

Step by step

A one inch gray pole crosses the frame from top to bottom. A single strand of blue rope enters from the left, goes under the pole, and doubles back around it.

1Go under and around the pole.

The blue rope crosses under the standing part.

2Go under the standing part.

The working end has been formed into a bight, which passes into the triangle formed by the pole, the standing part, and the working end. The tip of the working end remains outside the triangle.

3Make a bight in the working end and pass it back over the standing part and under the working end.

4Snug the knot.

Notes for nerds

References and naming

This knot is ABOK # 394

A knot that incorporates a slipped half hitch is said to be “slipped”.

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