Welcome to Scouting Knots
These animated knots are described for scouts, but most of them have critical uses in other environments. Select the knots from: the index above left; the pictures above; or the Scouting Requirements page which provides details of the knots expected for advancement and different activities.
Selection
The selection of knots is based on consultation with many scouting leaders and a review of the requirements by some national organizations. Click on the picture on the right to see the selection.
Choices
Rather than show the Fisherman's Knot the Double Fisherman's is used because it is safer and more widely used. The Fisherman's can easily be created by substituting Overhand Knots for the Double Overhand Knots. The Sheepshank is deliberately listed last for reasons explained on its page. I make no apology for also including the Constrictor and Alpine Butterfly. They are both useful and more valuable than the Sheepshank.
Optional Knots
Some additional knots which have been listed for teaching to scouts are described elsewhere on this website: the
Water Knot, the
Bowline on a Bight, the
Carrick Bend, and the
Sailmaker's Whipping. The Tautline Hitch is regarded as a variation of the
Rolling Hitch. The Double Sheet Bend is pictured on the
Sheet Bend Page. The Pipe Hitch is not described as it is essentially the same as the
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches with additional wraps round the pipe. The Masthead or Jury Knot is not described here as it appears to have limited use but you can find how to make it on the page about the
Masthead Knot Mat
in the decorative section. So far at least, the Cat's paw, Draw Hitch, and Honda are not included.
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