How to Tie a Farmer's Knot

You can use a farmer's knot, or farmer's hitch, when climbing or caving. The farmer's knot, once tied, has a length of rope leading off to each side of the knot. A loop leads up from the center of the farmer's knot.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Loop the rope or length of leather around your hand three times before you begin to tie your farmer's knot. You should end up with your palm facing you, one loop in the center of your palm with the loop of rope above trailing off to the left and the loop below trailing off to the right. As you tie the farmer's knot, all three loops will remain on the palm of your hand.

2. Take the center loop and without letting the other two move, pull the loop up and over the top loop, but not off your palm. Pull the loop that's now in the center (the one you crossed over) and pull it up and over the bottom loop in the same manner. Take the loop that's now in the center (originally the bottom loop) and pull it up and over the loop above it (originally the center strand) like you did the other two.

3. Grasp the new center strand and pull it up through the middle to form a loop. Pull the farmer's knot tight. You can now remove your hand and load the farmer's knot you've tied. The resulting knot should look something like a traditional braid.