In forest school the timber hitch can be used for moving large logs. The timber hitch is quick and easy to tie and hold secure when under load but is very easy to untie. Used for pulling cargo, particularly logs, either on water or land. A clove hitch is useful when setting shelters as it is easy to loosen and adjust the tension. It is a good all purpose knot that is easy to tie and easy to release. The clove hitch is often used as the start and end of lashings. If tying to a bollard or post it can also be tied using loops.Īnother simple knot to teach to children. It can be created by tying two half hitches. The clove hitch is a very common knot used to secure a line around an object. Practically a half hitch can be used to temporarily secure a line to an object. In forest school a half hitch is another simple introductory knot and a useful one to know as it is part of other common knots. It is insecure on it’s own but often an element in other knots such as the clove hitch or round turn and two half hitches. It should not be used to bear weight or if subject to movement as it may fail.Ī very simple knot where the end of the cord is brought over and under the standing line. It can be used to secure bundles of sticks or other objects. It is easy to learn and likely familiar as it is essentially the same knot used to tie shoelaces. In forest school the reef knot is a good knot to use to introduce knot tying to children. It is familiar to many people and often used to join two pieces of rope or cordage though can be insecure and slip. Teaching of this knot is often accompanied with the mnemonic ‘left over right, right over left’. The reef knot is a very simple binding knot.
Teaching the knot to one learner or one group and asking them to rotate and show each other how to tie the different knots is an effective way to encourage and support peer learning. Activities taking place periodically over time that involve use of the same knot will support fully embedding the learning. We made mini rafts during my portfolio sessions and learners had to ties multiple square lashings to build them. A star made from sticks for example would require five knots to create. Taking photos of each step of tying a knot and then printing and laminating them is an easy way to support learning, especially for visual learners.Ĭombining knot tying with activities requires learners to ties the same knot several times and reinforces learning. The animated knots below are great if you’re sat in front of the computer but not so much use in the forest. It’s completely useless for supporting any weight but ideal for teaching rope use. Lot’s of the bargain stores sell cheap rope that is a reasonable diameter. Quality thick rope is generally very expensive. Using thicker rope and larger pieces of wood can be useful both when demonstrating to a group and for learners to practise with.