Clove hitch

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Clove hitch

Category	hitch
Origin	Ancient
Related	hitch knots, constrictor knot, lashings, slippery hitch
Releasing	Jamming
Typical use	Temporary securement, belaying, starting lashing knots
Caveat	Spills if the standing part is pulled forcibly in the wrong direction
ABoK	#400, #421, #1276 - #1280, #1245

The clove hitch is a type of knot. It is one of a number of knots known as binding knots. It has been in use since ancient times. It consists of two half hitches lying in opposite directions around a post. (The two half-hitches uses a clove hitch, but is not the same thing.)

The clove hitch is liable to slip. It requires a load in each direction in order to be effective. It should not be relied on with rope that is thin or very slippery, as it can work itself loose, especially under a swinging or rotating load. It can also jam and become difficult to untie under some situations.

To tie a clove hitch, first place a loop around the pole, with the working end of the rope on top. Run the working end round the pole once more until you meet the place where the ropes cross, then pass the working end under the cross. Pull to tighten.

It can be formed in the middle of a rope, even if neither end is available. To tie it this way, form two back-to-back overhand loops in a rope, and then put the top loop underneath the bottom one. Drop both loops over a post and tighten.