How to Tie a Continuous Ring Hitching

Continuous ring hitching, also known as single ringbolt hitching, and is identified in Ashley's Book of Knots as knot No. 3602. It is the simplest form of ringbolt hitching and the boating industry uses it to cover a ring to prevent the ring from being damaged when it strikes something. The following steps will show how to tie a continuous ring hitching.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Lay out sufficient line to cover the entire ring with a series of identical hitches. You can do continuous ring hitching with either left or right hitches. Alternate ring hitching is a similar process, but uses alternating left and right hitches. The remaining steps will be for left hitches only.

2. Bend the working end of the rope over the ring and bring it back under the ring on the left side of the standing end. Bend the working end over the standing end to the right to complete the left hitch.

3. Dress the left hitch carefully and form a loop with the working end. Hold the loop in place and bend the working end over the ring. Pull the working end from under the ring and through the loop created in Step 3.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as needed to cover the entire ring with left hitches.

Tips & Warnings

• Jewelry and macramé also uses ring hitching, in addition to its traditional use in sailing. Cover a ring of appropriate size with continuous ring hitching and tie the ends together to make a necklace.

Resources

• Learn more about knot-tying at Realknots.