How to Tie a Bowline
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Follow along with these pictures and instructions and learn how to tie this secure AND easy to untie knot.
Note: If you are using polypropylene (polypro) rope, or just want a knot that is even LESS likely to come undone, I recommend you tie an underwater or double bowline (see the extra pictures below this first tutorial).
Step 1: First, take the loose end and cross it over the standing part as shown.
Step 2: Continue, tucking the loose end and hand through the loop.
Step 3: Now you have made a loop around your hand, which holds the loose end.
Step 4: Now take the loose end and take it around the standing end.
Think, “The rabbit (loose end) comes out of the hole, goes around the tree (standing end) and…”
Step 5: “Back into the hole.”
The loose end goes back through the loop.
Step 6: Tighten the knot.
This is what the knot should look like. If it doesn’t, try tying it again.
Double Bowline
(aka Underwater Bowline)
Divers will use this variation on the bowline knot to make secure loop underwater, where knots tend to work loose pretty easily.
The only difference is that you make TWO loops instead of just one.
Our friend the rabbit (loose end) will go through two holes (loops), around the tree (standing end), and back through the two holes (loops).
From Step 4 above, instead of taking the rabbit around the tree and back into the hole, you want to make ANOTHER loop.
Now you have the rabbit (loose end) coming out of two holes (loops).
Now just bring the rabbit around the tree and back throught the two holes, and you have yourself a double bowline!
Tighten the first AND second loops.
Now you know how to tie a bowline and double bowline!