One of the most underated knots
in Scouting and Guiding, the Tautline hitch is used to attach one rope
to a second, in such a manner that the first rope can be easily slid along
the second. The knot can be connsidered a Clove hitch with an additional
turn. When tension is applied and the ropes form a straight
line, the tautline hitch will lock onto
the first rope. When the tension is released, the hitch can be
loosened and slid along the first rope to a new
location. The tension must be applied on the side of the knot with
the extra turn.
Tip. Use this knot
if you have a guy rope with no adjuster. Create a loop on the end of a
second rope
which is slipped over the peg. Use a rolling
hitch to attach the second rope to the guyline. Alternatively,
take the guyline around the peg and tie the Rolling
hitch back onto the standing part of the guyline, above
the peg, thus forming an adjustable loop.
Tip. Use this knot
when constructing camp gadgets such as a suspended table. A Tautline hitch
in each
suspension rope will allow easy adjustment and
a level table!
Tip. When adjustments
are complete, lock the tautline hitch into place by using a stop knot such
as a
Figure of Eight in the first rope, below the
Tautline hitch, to stop it slipping.