How to Tie a Lasso

“Lasso" is actually the term used to describe the action of throwing a rope at an animal; it does not refer to the rope itself or the knot in the rope. What most people typically think of as a lasso is actually a lariat, and to tie one you must start out by making a honda knot in the rope. Here's how to tie a lasso.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rope

1. Tie a tight knot in the end of the rope you'll be using for the lariat. This is important for keeping the honda knot in place when you use the rope.

2. Start the knot by tying a simple overhand knot in the rope, leaving plenty of excess rope at the end. The overhand knot is made by making a large loop with the rope then passing the end of the rope under and back through the loop so that it looks like a pretzel.

3. Tighten the overhand knot so that the loop is fairly small but there is still space showing through.

4. Make another loop with the end of the rope.

5. Pass the end of the rope through the overhand knot you've already made. Do not pass it through the center of the knot, though: you must push down on the middle of the "pretzel" and pass the rope through the gap between the middle and the top of the pretzel (closest to the end of the rope).

6. Pull gently on both ends of the rope: this means the loop you have just created in Step 5 and the rest of the rope below the knot. Push up on the bottom of the knot in between pulling the ends. You should have a well-formed loop at the end of your rope now.

7. Continue to level the bottom of the knot. You want it to be in a straight line horizontally.

8. Finish the lariat by passing the end of the rope through the loop made by the honda knot to create a large, flexible loop. Your "lasso" is ready to go.

Tips & Warnings

• An overhand knot is the most basic of knots. If the terminology is confusing, then just think of it in terms of tying a "regular" knot. If you simply tie a knot in something, what you are making is an overhand knot.
• Try practicing on a length of soft rope first. Soft rope is easier to work with than standard lariat rope.