Knots are used to secure, fasten or join two pieces of material such as rope or cloth. A knot is created by intertwining, tying or interweaving a piece of rope, string, strap, twine or strand. There are very many times of knots that are used on day to day basis, some common types of knots are as follows:

Thumb / Overhead Knot

This is among the simplest knots. The knot is used to create a stopper at a ropes end. It is easy to form but rather difficult to untie. Due to this, it is usually used in areas that do not require untying the knot.

Square Knot

It is also known as the reef knot. It is basically a blend of two thumb or overhead knots. Just like the overhead knot it is easy to tie but difficult to untie. It secures a cord around an item.

Figure Eight

The figure of eight is a very common sailor knot. The knot forms a loop at the end of the rope resembling the number eight. The loop is very strong hence suitable to pull objects.

Bowline

Bowline knot is also another famous sailor knot. It forms a loop at the end of the rope and is used to fasten an object when pulling or hauling.

Shoelace Knot

This knot resembles two figure of eight knots. It is among the most familiar knots since it is usually used to tie shoelaces.

Better Bow Knot

This knot is a combination of two shoelace knots. It is easy to tie and untie. It is used to form a more secure bind when tying shoelaces or packages.

Bowline on a Bight

This is a complicated knot that resembles the bowline. It differs from the bowline in that the loop forms in the middle of the rope rather than at the end. Used to secure luggage that needs hoisting.

Butterfly Knot

This knot requires a bit of skill to learn. It will form loop at the centre of a rope. It is also a very secure bind. It is used to hang objects.

Water Knot

The knot forms a triangular loop and is very strong. It is mostly used in webbing applications.

Slip Knot

This is a simple knot that forms a loop that tightens when pulled. It is easy to tie and untie. It is used to tightly tie a rope’s end to the centre of another.

Honda Knot or Lasso Knot

The Honda knot is also known as the lasso knot. It somehow resembles the slip knot but is more secure. It is used to harness and secure distant or moving objects. Common applications include harnessing livestock.

Common Whipping

The whipping knot is formed after a length of the rope or string has been coiled on an object. It is a simple knot that is used to stop the rope ends from unraveling. It is used to join two pieces together.

Mooring Hitch

This type of knot is easy to tie and also very easy to untie. A simple pull of the rope or string will unbind the knot. It is used in gift wrapping or releasing an object from a safe distance.

Buntline Hitch

This knot is a bit complicated to tie. It forms a tight loop at the end of the rope. It is used to tie objects to the rope’s end.

Clear Hitch

It is a simple and secure knot that can be untied quickly. It is commonly used to bind a cleat to the dock or boat.

Running Bowline

The running bowline knot resembles the slip knot; it requires some skill to tie and tightens when pulled. It is used to tie a rope’s end to the centre of another rope.

Constrictor Knot

The knot is very secure and is used to tie a bundle of objects together. It takes time to tie and untie the knot.

Rolling Bend

The rolling bend is a basic and simple knot that is easy to tie. It is commonly used on poles and posts.

Carrick Bend

This type of knot is quite complex and requires expertise. It forms a very strong bind. It is used to bind heavy ropes/twines together.

Clove Hitch

This is another simple knot that is easy to tie and untie. It is used to tie a cord to a post

Other types of knots include clear hitch, cow hitch, distel hitch, heaving line knot, monkey’s fist, marl, rolling hitch among many other knots.