Clove Hitch

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The Clove Hitch is used to tie a line to a probe.  This knot can also be used to tie a rope to a railing, and provides a quick and secure result.  Although this knot is handy because of its simplicity, it should only be used in temporary situations, and never in cases where it will go unwatched for long times.

The clove hitch can jam under heavy tension, making it difficult to untie.  Worse, is its tendency to untie itself when subjected to repeated strain and release. For this reason, it is not recommended for long-term motion applications, such as holding down a tarp flapping in the wind.  Despite these weaknesses, the clove hitch is still ideal when temporarily tying something up.

A single clove hitch can suffer from the hitch unrolling under tension if the probe turns. If you are in a situation where the clove hitch may unroll, add a half- hitch several feet above the clove hitch with the running end to the standing end of the knot, turning it into a "Probe Knot".

To tie a single clove hitch:

1. Begin with a loop around the probe.
2. Start a second loop around the probe, making sure you cross up, over the first loop.
3. Come around the probe and tuck the free end under the SECOND loop.
4. Tighten it up.

On average, any knot will reduce the breaking strength of any line or rope by at least 15%.  The clove hitch reduces the line breaking strength by 40%.

If you are tying to something over which you can slip a loop of rope, then there is an alternative way to tie a Clove Hitch. Click HERE to see the climber’s alternative.