A hitch is a type of knot used to secure a rope to an object or another rope. Hitches are used in a variety of situations, including climbing, sailing, and securing loads. They are classified based on their ability to be tightened or released, their resistance to slipping, and their strength. Some common types of hitch knots include the clove hitch, the timber hitch, and the round turn and two half-hitches.
A simple mathematical theory of hitches has been proposed by Bayman.[1] It predicts whether or not a hitch will hold, given the diameter of the post, the diameter of the rope, and the coefficient of friction between the post and the rope. The theory has been extended by Maddocks and Keller, including an approximate treatment of knots that are not hitches.[2] For example, they predict that a square knot will hold when the coefficient of friction of the rope with itself is greater than 0.24. These predictions are approximately correct when tested empirically.[3]
| Knot | Description | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A simple and useful friction hitch which may easily be shifted up and down the rope while slack. | |||
| A type of ringbolt hitching formed with a series of alternate left and right hitches made around a ring | |||
| A knot used for attaching a rope to a ring | |||
| A knot which traditionally uses a continuous loop of strap to form a cow hitch around an object in order to hoist or lower it. | |||
| The "barrel hitch" and "barrel sling," named for their use in hoisting cargo aboard ships, are a simple yet effective way to suspend an object. | |||
| Any hitch that is made on an eye loop, i.e., on a becket. | |||
| A temporary means of attaching a rope to a hook. | |||
| A friction hitch commonly used by arborists and tree climbers as an ascending knot. | |||
| A rather robust and secure method of attaching a line, or rope to a fixed object like a pipe, post, or sail boom | |||
| A knot used for attaching a rope to an object. It is formed by passing the working end around an object, then making a clove hitch around the rope's standing part, taking care that the turns of the clove hitch progress towards the object rather than away from it. | |||
| A knot used for connecting a rope to an object. | |||
| A knot used to connect a rope to a cylindrical object. Similar to the marline hitch, but formed with successive Clove hitch knots. | |||
| A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. | |||
| A series of identical hitches made around a ring | |||
| A hitch knot used to attach a rope to an object. | |||
| A hitch knot used to bind a rope to a carabiner. | |||
| A quick release adjustable friction hitch for use on lines under tension. | |||
| A ratcheting knot used to disallow dual direction rope travel. | |||
| A secure, jam-proof hitch used to tie one rope to another, or a rope to a pole, boom, spar, etc., when the pull is lengthwise along the object. | |||
| A type of knot used to attach a rope to an object. | |||
| A simple overhand knot, where the working end of a line is brought over and under the standing part. | |||
| A type of knot used to connect a rope to an object. | |||
| A type of knot used to attach a rope to an object. | |||
| A quick-release draw loop knot used for temporarily securing a rope that will need to be released easily and cleanly. | |||
| A simple knot used to tie off stuff sacks that allows quick access as it unties quickly. | |||
| A knot for connecting to a post when weight is applied to an end running parallel to the post in a specific direction. | |||
| Also known as the Salmon Knot, a knot that is often used for securing a fishing line to a hook or lure. | |||
| A type of hitch knot used to attach a rope to oddly shaped objects. | |||
| A knot used to attach a lanyard of small stuff to a marlingspike or other tool. | |||
| A knot used to attach a rope to a rod, pole, or other rope. (See also Rolling hitch) | |||
| A knot used to attach a rope to a cylindrical object. Similar in appearance to the Chain Hitch, but a succession of overhand knots. | |||
| A temporary knot used to attach a rod to a rope in order to form a handle. | |||
| An adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. | |||
| A simple knot, commonly used by climbers and cavers as part of a life-lining or belay system | |||
| A knot used to attach a rope or line to an object. | |||
| A knot that is used for securing a fishing line to a fishing lure, snap or swivel. | |||
| A kind of hitch, which is a knot used for attaching rope to a pole or other structure. | |||
| A hitch-type knot used to secure smooth cylindrical objects. | |||
| A friction hitch or knot used to put a loop of cord around a rope, applied in climbing, canyoneering, mountaineering, caving, rope rescue, and by arborists. | |||
| Reverse half hitches | |||
| A secure, jam-proof hitch. | |||
| A knot used to attach a rope to an object. | |||
| A knot used to attach a line to a rod or bar. | |||
| A hitch knot used to attach an eyed fishing hook to fishing line. | |||
| A modification of the clove hitch | |||
| An adjustable loop knot for use on lines under tension. | |||
| An anchor knot used for rappelling or rope rescue. | |||
| A knot used to attach a single length of rope to a cylindrical object. | |||
| A multi-purpose fishing knot that can be used for attaching monofilament line to hooks, swivels and lures. | |||
| Trucker's hitch | A compound knot commonly used for securing loads on trucks or trailers. | ||
| Tugboat hitch (Lighterman's hitch) | An easy release knot ideal for heavy towing. | ||
| Tumble hitch | A quick-release draw loop knot used for temporarily securing a rope that will need to be released easily and cleanly. | ||
| A type of knot, specifically a binding knot or hitch knot. | |||
| A multi purpose fishing knot that can be used for attaching the fishing line to the arbor of a reel, for joining lines, and for attaching lures, snaps, and swivels. |