Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Roadblock:
“Who wants to Tie One On?”
The team member who did NOT perform the earlier roadblock MUST perform this task.
The other team member may look on and give encouragement but may NOT assist their team member with
the task in any way, verbally or physically.
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Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Roadblock:
“Who wants to Tie One On?”
For this detour you must:






Find the supplies of rope and tape
Cut the required lengths of rope using scissors (see Rope A, B and C below)
Tape the ends to prevent fraying
Practice tying three (3) different kinds of knots at least once
Ask an adult to be judged
When being judged:
o You must name the knot you are tying
o Tie the first knot and state that you are done with that knot
o Untie the knot
o Tie the second knot and state that you are done with that knot
o Untie the knot
o Tie the third knot and state that you are done with that knot
o The judge will then either give you the next clue or ask you to start again
o If asked to start again you must practice at least once before asking for another judging
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Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
How to Tie the Knots - Select Three from this list:
 Square Knot:
Joins two ropes of equal diameter
 Sheet Bend:
Joins two ropes of unequal diameter
 Bowline:
Creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope
 Half Hitch:
Secures the end of a rope after it has been looped around a post or tree, or
through a ring
 Double Half Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope
 Clove Hitch:
Secures the end of a rope to a post, tree, etc.
 Taut Line Hitch:
Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope
Materials Required
 Rope A: A six-foot length of rope of any diameter or color.
 Rope B: A three-foot length of rope of different diameter from Rope A. Rope B may be the
same color as Rope A.
 Rope C: A three-foot length of rope different in color from Rope A and of any diameter.
 You will also need a vertical object, such as a post or the leg of a chair or table, around which to tie
knots or hitches.
Taping off the end of the rope:
Use a short amount - 3” or so - of the provided tape to secure the ends of the rope:
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Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TYING KNOTS
SQUARE KNOT:
Use ropes A and C
Remember the phrase: "Right over left and under, left over right and under.”
1.
2.
3.
4.
Continued…
5
Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Instructions for Tying Knots, continued
SHEET BEND:
Use ropes A and B
Begins like a square knot, but has an extra twist.
1.
2.
Continued…
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Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Instructions for Tying Knots, continued
BOWLINE:
Use rope A
Remember the story: The standing end of the rope is called the tree. Make a small loop in front of
the tree. This is the rabbit hole. The working end of the rope is called the rabbit. The rabbit comes
out of its hole, goes around behind the tree, and back into its hole. To tighten the knot, grasp the tree
with one hand and the rabbit and its tail in the other, and pull.
Without the story: Pass the working end of the rope over the standing end to make a small loop (the
distance from this loop to the working end of the rope will be the approximate circumference of the
finished loop). Bring the working end of the rope up through the loop, pass it around the standing
rope, then drop it back down through the loop. Grasp the working end where it both enters and exits
the loop; pull simultaneously on the standing end.
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2.
3.
4.
Continued…
7
Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Instructions for Tying Knots, continued
HALF HITCH:
Use rope A
Loop the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. Cross the working end of
the rope under the standing part, bring it up, and drop it down through the loop.
1.
2.
DOUBLE HALF HITCH:
Use rope A
Make a second half hitch immediately below the first.
1.
2.
Continued…
8
Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Instructions for Tying Knots, continued
CLOVE HITCH:
Use rope A
Pass the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. Bring the working end to
the front of the post and cross it over the standing part, making an “X.” Wrap the working end around
the post again, below the first wrap. When you bring the working end back to the front of the post,
push the end under the far leg of the “X”. The end will come out between the two wraps around
the post.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Continued…
9
Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Instructions for Tying Knots, continued
TAUT LINE HITCH:
Use rope A
Pass the working end of the rope around a vertical object, such as a post. When you bring the working
end of the rope to the front of the post, wrap it around the standing part of the rope twice. Make the
second wrap closer to the post than the first wrap. Then bring the working end of the rope away from
the post and make a half hitch around the standing part of the rope.
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2.
3.
4.
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Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
REVIEW OF KNOTS AND HITCHES
USED TO
CAUTIONS
COMMENTS
Square Knot: Joins two ropes of equal diameter (easiest of all knots to learn)
 Join shorter pieces of
rope to make a longer
piece.
Do not use if stress will be
placed on the knot.
Difficult to undo if wet or if
extreme tension has been
applied.
 Mend a broken rope.
 Tie bundles of things
together.
 Finish off lashing projects.
 Make a decorative
macramé knot.
 Tie packages.
 Tie a scarf.
 Tie a sling, bandage or
splint .
Sheet Bend: Joins two ropes of unequal diameter
 Join shorter pieces of
rope to make a longer
piece.
Essentially a square knot with
an extra twist.
Will not slip.
Bowline: Creates a fixed loop at the end of a rope
 Secure a guy rope to a tent.
Will not jam or give.
 Tie a loop around a rescue
victim.
Expert knot tiers can tie this
around their waist with one
hand!
 Create a loop to slip over
a peg or hook.
 Hoist or lower objects.
Continued…
1
1
Girl Instructions forBASIC
AmazingKNOTS
Race - Tying
Knots
AND
HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
Review of Knots and Hitches, continued
USED TO
CAUTIONS
COMMENTS
Half Hitch: Secures the end of a rope after it has been looped around a post or tree, or through a ring
 Tie up loose end of rope
to prevent it from lying on
the ground.
Provides extra holding power
when used in conjunction with
another knot.
 Haul or pull something.
Double Half Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope
 Provide a secure loop
that can be adjusted.
Does not slide as well as a taut
line hitch.
 Tie bed rolls.
Clove Hitch: Secures the end of a rope to a post, tree, etc.
 Tie the end of a hammock,
beaver bag line or
clothesline.
Will not hold on square poles.
 Hang storage box.
Do not use to tether a moving
object, such as a boat or pet.
 Hang hand-washing unit.
Tugging will loosen the hitch.
Is most reliable when constant
tension is exerted on the hitch.
Will not come undone on its
own.
 Begin a lashing project.
Taut Line Hitch: Creates an adjustable loop at the end of a rope
 Loop guy lines around a
tent peg.
Hitch slides along the standing
part of the rope.
 Secure a beaver bag line,
hammock or clothesline.
Allows tension to be adjusted
without retying the knot.
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2
Girl Instructions for Amazing
Race -KNOTS
Tying Knots
BASIC
AND HITCHES VIDEO PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
GUIDE
TYPES OF ROPE
Many knots and hitches rely on the ability of the rope to create friction, either when overlapping itself or when tied
around a tree or other object. For this reason, uncoated cotton ropes are best.
TYPE OF ROPE
Cotton or
Heavy Binders Twine
ADVANTAGES
Creates friction.
DISADVANTAGES
Will degrade—must be
replaced.
When stretched, will return
close to original shape.
Coated Cotton
Resists weathering.
Does not create friction.
Nylon
Durable.
Does not create friction.
May be difficult to manipulate.
Stretches and does not regain
original shape.
Cotton Blend
Creates friction.
Durable.
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