Scouting knots are the foundation of campcraft, taught step by step as a Scout works up through the ranks. Among the first essential Scouting knots is the Square Knot, a simple binding knot for a bandage, a bundle, or a package, followed by Two Half Hitches and the Taut Line Hitch for pitching and tightening a tent. As skills grow, a Scout learns the Sheet Bend to join two ropes of different thickness and the Bowline, the trusted rescue loop that will not slip closed around a person. For building, the Clove Hitch that starts a Square Lashing and the Timber Hitch that starts a Diagonal Lashing bind poles into towers, bridges, and camp gadgets. Scouts also learn to care for their rope, finishing a cut end with a Common Whipping so it cannot fray. A Turk's Head weaves cord into a woggle, the neckerchief slide worn with the Scout uniform. The top Scouting knots listed below cover both campcraft and Scout traditions. Learned young, these are skills a Scout keeps for life.
Back Splice
Keep twisted rope from fraying by weaving strands backward.
Barrel Hitch
A sling to lift a barrel or bucket.
Bowline
Relatively secure fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Clove Hitch
Secure a rope to a post or spar.
Clove Hitch on a Bight
Attach a rope to a post without access to ends.
Common Whipping
Simple wrapping method to prevent rope end from fraying.
Crown Knot
Component of the back splice and various decorative knots.
Diagonal Lashing
Bind two spars or poles together at an angle.
Friendship Knot
Decorative knot for tying scarves, symbolizing friendship in Scouting.
Hanson Loop
Secure fixed loop at the end of a rope.
Midshipman's Hitch
Adjustable friction hitch for use on lines under tension.
Round Lashing
Create a longer spar from two shorter ones.
Shear Lashing
Bind two poles to create a pivot for bridges, levers, or lifting.
Sheepshank
Shorten rope or take up slack without cutting or damaging the rope.
Sheet Bend
Securely join ropes of different or similar size.
Square Knot
Simple binding knot for securing objects, not suitable for joining two ropes.
Square Lashing
Knot for securely binding two poles together at right angles.
Taut Line Hitch
Adjustable friction hitch used to maintain tension in ropes and tent lines.
Timber Hitch
Simple knot for hauling timber, initiating lashings, and attaching bowstrings or guitar strings.
Tripod Lashing
Create tripod structures used in campsite and pioneering projects.
Turk's Head (Woggle)
Decorative braided knot on a staff or used as a neckerchief slide.
Two Half Hitches
Used to secure a rope at a right angle to a fixed object such as a pole, ring, or tree.
West Country Whipping
Series of overhand knots used to prevent a rope end from fraying.
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