Adjustable Grip Hitch
How to tie the Adjustable Grip Hitch. The Adjustable Grip Hitch, aka the Crawley Hitch is a simple friction hitch, similar to the more well known (due to Boy Scout usage) Tautline Hitch, that is easily adjusted up and down the rope while slack, but holds firm when under tension. It is often used around camp for tent lines, laundry lines and anywhere a guy-line might need to be adjusted. It also goes by the names of Adjustable Loop Knot and the Crawley Adjustable Hitch. A quick-release version can be tied by looping the working end instead of pulling it through on the last tying step, which will speed up untying at camp breakdown. Of the many friction loops, the Crawley Hitch aka the Adjustable Grip Hitchis one of the easiest to tie and uses the shortest amount of rope. It is very easy to tighten to the point where it grips well and feels "ready to go". It also cannot be overtightened to the point that it becomes difficult to adjust the tension of the rope.
An adjustable hitch is useful to know and either this knot, the Tautline Hitch or the Midshipman's Hitch should be committed to memory. Due to the adjustable nature of this knot, it should not be used in critical applications since it can slip unpredictably.
Scroll down to see the Animated Adjustable Grip Hitch below the knot tying instructions.
Adjustable Grip Hitch Knot Tying Instructions
- Pass the working end around the post or anchor object. Bring it back alongside of the standing part.
- Wrap the working end twice around one side of the loop.
- Then wrap it around both sides of the loop and finish by tucking the end under the last wrap. Pull the knot tight and make any adjustments need to tension the main line.
- For a quick-release version, make a loop with the working end in the last step and feed the loop through the last wrap.
