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Tautline Hitch This knot can be slipped to tighten or loosen a line, then holds fast under load. Useful for lines that may need adjustment. The Tautline Hitch is essentially a Rolling Hitch tied on the standing part of a tight line after it has been secured around a object. Campers like to use this knot to secure tent guy lines because the hitch slides freely, yet jams under load, making adjustments to the line easy.

Tautline Hitch

1. Make a turn around a post or other object several feet from the free end.

2. Coil the free end twice around the standing line working back toward the post.

3. Make one additional coil around the standing line on the outside of the coils just made.

4. Tighten the knot and slide it on the standing line to adjust tension.

See animated Tautline Hitch below

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© Copyright 2013 John E Sherry. All rights reserved

Disclaimer: Any activity involving rope can be dangerous and may even be life threatening! Knot illustrations contained in this web site are not intended for rock climbing instruction. Many knots are not suitable for the risks involved in climbing. Seek professional instruction. Many of these knots have histories of use tracing back hundreds of years. However, many critical factors in their use today cannot be controlled, including: the appropriateness of knots used in particular applications, the age, size, and condition of ropes (knots weaken the rated breaking strength of rope anywhere from 50% to as much as 80%, even more in the case of old and worn rope); and the accuracy with which these descriptions have been followed. No responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.