Knots & practical skills

Round turn and two half hitches

Practise attaching a line around a suitable post or ring.

Camping equipment arranged on an outdoor table.

Set up a low-risk practice

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

Use a smooth, secure practice post with no load on the cord. The initial turns provide friction; the finishing hitches secure the tail around the standing part.

Follow the demonstration

A green tent, poles and tent pegs.
Shelter
  1. Pass the working end around the post twice.
  2. Tie a half hitch around the standing part and snug it.
  3. Continue in the same direction to tie the second half hitch.
  4. Dress the turns and leave a suitable tail.
Camping equipment on an outdoor table.
Worth remembering

Use the linked knot demonstrations for the tying sequence.

Inspect the whole arrangement

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

A correctly shaped knot does not make an unsuitable attachment point safe. Check the surface, cord condition and intended task. Do not attach lines to campsite furniture or vegetation unless permitted.

Keep the practice in scope

Use the linked animation for the detailed rope path. This short introduction is not a qualification for mooring, lifting, rescue or supporting people. Remove practice lines when finished.

Sources & further reading

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

Guide overview