How to tie a timber hitch knot with animated help

Learn how to tie a knot, but not just any old knot... a timber hitch knot. You'll never have any troubles again tying timber hitch knots, thanks to this Marinenews animated tutorial. You can learn by simply watching the knot tying animation at a moderate speed, or if need be, click on "learn by steps" to get step-by-step rope knot instructions for timber hitch knots.

The Timber hitch is, as the name implies, designed for hauling timber at the end of a length of rope. It is a good selection because it is quickly tied, never jams and is equally quickly untied. When used in conjunction with a one or more half hitches the Timber hitch secures a rope that can be used to lift a cylindrical object, such as a log, over rough terrain. Be sure to tie this knot firmly and always use a fairly decent standing part to form the knot. When using a synthetic fibre such as nylon you should use more than the illustrated three tucks to form the knot.

Rope knots can basically be divided into the following groups:

1. Bends - Joining two lines by intertwining them, without splicing, or sewing.
2. Hitches - A knot that secures a rope or line to another object.
3. Stopper – Used to bind strands at the end of a rope to stop fraying or unraveling. Also formed to stop a rope slipping through a hole or to provide a weight or handhold.
4. Bindings – Much like hitches. They are used to bind either lines or objects together. Their aim is to keep objects in place.
5. Splices – Describes the act of joining the ends, or the end and a standing part, of rope by interweaving strands. They are not knots in themselves.
6. Loops – Loops create structures used to tie, or secure, another object or line to another line. They can be formed at the end or midway a length of rope.
7. Plaits - Weaving several lines together to form a pattern and a cohesive structure.
8. Miscellaneous & Decorative – Knots that have decorative, dress or multiple category characteristics.