Comments on: How to Tie a Square Knot Properly

on 2/4/2007 Might I suggest that the photo of the square knot show
Two ropes, one black and one white, although I have used a 8 foot long piece of rope with one end painted black for 3 feet which worked well for BOTH instructional purposes and for camping.

on 2/4/2007 Might I suggest that the photos of the square knot show
Two ropes, one black and one white, although I have used a 8 foot long piece of rope with one end painted black for 3 feet which worked well for BOTH instructional purposes and for camping.

on 2/15/2006 This knot is not recommended for weight-bearing situations.

Being a flat knot, it is recommended for tying parcels (does not add to bulk), bandages (comfort as it lies flat), etc.

This knot is specifically for joining ropes of equal diameter, and does not work well with mismatched ropes. It also does not hold well with nylon ropes.

on 2/15/2006 If you have tied the knot correctly, you should be able to do this:

1.) Hold the two left rope-ends in one hand, and hold the two right ones in the other.
2.) Move your hands toward each other -- this works better with stiff rope.

You should be able to loosen then knot like this, and be able to move the two parts of the knot back and forth. To tighten again, simply draw your hands apart.

on 2/15/2006 If you're using different sizes of rope, or if you have synthetics, you may want to consider using a sheet bend instead of a square. It is just as easy, but is less likely to slip.

on 2/15/2006 Left over right then right over left, or left over right then right over left.

on 11/22/2005 The square knot is far from the best of knots. If the ropes being tied are of different sizes, or should the ropes become slack, the square knot will probably come undone. A more suitable knot for using in place of the square knot is the sheet bend. It is quite similar, but a simple twist makes it so the knot doesn't slip as easily.