Hitch
A rope fastening formed around or to an object, another rope or its own standing part.
Unlike a knot formed primarily within the rope itself, a hitch normally depends on the object or standing part around which it is tied. Common examples include the clove hitch, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches, each suited to particular load directions and purposes.
Security depends on rope material, diameter, stiffness, loading pattern and correct dressing. A hitch that holds under steady tension may slip, capsize or release when cyclically loaded or unloaded, so it should be selected, backed up and monitored for the actual application.
- Clove Hitch: One of the simplest and most widely used hitches, the clove hitch is ideal for temporarily securing a rope to a post or pole. It is easy to tie and untie but can slip under heavy or variable loads, so it is often reinforced with additional knots or hitches.
- Half Hitch: The half hitch is a basic knot often used with other knots to secure a rope to an object. It is not very secure when used alone, but when paired with another half hitch (forming a “two half hitches” knot), it becomes much more reliable.
- Round Turn and Two Half Hitches: This hitch is commonly used to secure a rope to a post or ring. The “round turn” provides extra friction and security, while the two half hitches lock the rope. This is a strong and reliable hitch, often used in mooring and anchoring.
- Rolling Hitch: This hitch is designed to attach a rope to another rope or a cylindrical object, such as a spar or pole. It is particularly useful when the rope is under tension, as the rolling hitch resists slipping along the object it is tied to.
- Taut-Line Hitch: This is an adjustable hitch that allows the length of the rope to be easily adjusted while maintaining tension. It is commonly used in tent guy lines and other applications where the tension on the rope may need to be adjusted frequently.
