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Student Handout

Knot Tying with a Twist

How to Tie a Square Knot

1. Take the ends of the rope and make an "X" with the left end of the rope placed over the right.

2. Cross the "new" right end around the rope to make an overhand knot.

3. Take the right and left ends and put the right end over the left.

4. Tie a second overhand knot.

5. Pull the ends tightly so that they make a neat, square knot.

How to Tie a Bowline Knot

1. Hold the two ends of your rope together, then lay your rope flat on a table.

2. Take the left half of the rope and make a small loop about half way down. (This loop is sometimes called the hole.)

3. Take the right end of the rope (the tag end), and bring it up through the hole.

4. Pass the tag end under and around the left strand of the rope.

5. Then bring the tag end back down through the hole and pull the knot tight.

How to Tie a Sheepshank Knot

1. Lay the rope on a table and make an "S" with rope.

2. Make a loop at the bottom left.

3. Pass the top part of the S through the bottom loop.

4. Make a small loop at the top right.

5. Pass the bottom part of the S loop through the top loop and tighten so that the looped ends on the left and right are about the same size.