How to Tie a Bowline One-Handed

The bowline, essentially a loop secured inside of another loop, is especially useful in rock climbing and boating. It creates a loop at the end of a single rope with nothing to secure it other than the knot itself. Learning to tie a bowline one-handed can be helpful when climbing or if one hand is injured.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin with a good length of rope. Tie one end to a doorknob to practice. Run the remaining rope around your back so you end up with about a foot of rope in your dominant hand.

2. With your palm down, loop the thumb of your dominant hand under the long section of rope. Then, flip your palm upward. This should create a loop over your thumb.

3. Open your hand through the loop. It should be palm-up with the short end of the rope resting in it. The long end is looped around your wrist.

4. Use the fingers to move under the longer length of rope just above the loop around your wrist. The shorter rope should rest on or near the end of your fingers at this point.

5. Flip your fingers so that the shorter rope jumps over the longer length and lands back in the palm of your hand. Close your hand over the shorter rope and pull your hand out of the loop around your wrist. Maintain your grip on the shorter section of rope.

6. Pull the shorter section of rope tightly to secure the bowline knot.

7. Practice this until you can easily do each section. Once you've perfected the steps, gradually lean your weight against the rope behind your back and continue practicing. This exercise will prepare you to tie the knot while climbing.

Tips & Warnings

• Bowline knots can gradually work themselves loose. Add a half-hitch knot to the end of a bowline knot to secure it.

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