Rolling Hitch

Rolling Hitch

The Rolling Hitch is used to secure a line to another line or to a smooth cylindrical object, such as a post floating in the water, when you want the knot to seize the object and not slip lengthwise along it. Besides the usual qualities of a good knot, the rolling hitch can be tied with one hand while you hold the object you are tying it to with the other hand. Here’s how

• Hold the object in your left hand and, with the working part of the line running away from the direction you will be finally pulling the object, wrap the working part around the object with your right hand, as in A.
  
• When you come to the working part at the end of the first wrap, cross over the working part and add a second wrap, again crossing over the working part, as in B.
  
• Wrap another turn and when you again come to the working part, slip the bitter end under the last wrap just before crossing the working part, as in C.
  
• Pull the wraps tight, as in D.
  
• Now pull the working part back in the opposite direction, as In E, over the hitch.
  

You are now ready to use the rolling hitch to haul on the object. (This hitch is often used to pull on a rope to take the tension off a “downstream” knot that is under load and could not otherwise be untied.)