Knots & practical skills

Bowline: practise a fixed loop

Learn the shape of a fixed loop for ordinary, non-critical camp tasks.

Camping equipment arranged on an outdoor table.

What it does

A coil of cord, tent stakes and mallet.
Cord & camp fixings

A bowline creates a loop at the end of a rope. Unlike a sliding loop, it is intended to keep its size. Animated Knots explains both the tying sequence and its limitations.

Follow the rope path

A coil of cord, tent stakes and mallet.
Cord & camp fixings
  1. Make a small loop in the standing part.
  2. Bring the working end up through that loop.
  3. Take it behind the standing part and back through the small loop.
  4. Arrange the strands neatly and tighten the finished knot.
Camping equipment on an outdoor table.
Worth remembering

Use the linked knot demonstrations for the tying sequence.

Practise without a load

A coil of cord, tent stakes and mallet.
Cord & camp fixings

Use the animation slowly, pausing after each movement. Untie and repeat while looking at the rope rather than memorizing only a rhyme. Compare the finished shape with the demonstration.

Keep the task ordinary

This introduction is for learning and light camp organization. It does not establish suitability for climbing, rescue, lifting, hammocks or supporting people. Rope material, loading and movement affect security.

Sources & further reading

Read the original guidance for more detail. Product reviews and demonstrations belong to their publishers.

Guide overview