1. Knot Master Program

2.  Scouts can progress through the required knots, hitches, bends and lashings with a fun advancement program.  There are also decorative knots that can be tied for fun.  The scouts can earn different colored ropes similar to Karate belts.

3.  Scouts are given a carabineer, advancement card and a white rope approximately 6 ft long.  Scouts put their name on the card.  Scouts are taught how to tie the carry knot so that the rope is easily carried.  As the scout learns a new knot and demonstrates it to an advanced member, the card is signed off for that knot.

4.  Scouts that are able to tie all the knots for a color of rope can advance to the next color and next set of knots.  Scouts are to be able to demonstrate the knots at any time, so they should practice.  Scouts that achieve the black knot will be known as a knot master and are given a patch and are allowed to wear a black rope waggle.

5.  Standing End = the end of the rope that is held and not used in tying the knot.  Working End = the end of the rope that is moved in tying the rope.  Bight = a loop made in the rope.  Knot = tying a rope to itself.  Hitch = tying a rope to another object.  Bend = tying a rope to another rope.  Lashing = tying 2 or 3 poles together.

6.  Make a double bight in the rope starting at the standing end of the rope.  Wrap the working end around the bight from the end with one loop towards the two loops.  When the working end gets short, tuck it inside the two loop ends of the bights.  Pull the center bight to tighten the loops to secure the working end.

7.  Square Knot – Attach two same size ropes.  Sheet Bend - Attach two different size ropes.  Clove Hitch – Tie off to an object.  Timber Hitch – Easily removable tie off.  Two Half Hitches – Slip tie off.  Taught Line Hitch – Adjustable tie off.  Bowline – a loop knot that will not slip.  Figure Eight – a stop knot for the end of rope.

8.  Hold the ends of a rope or ropes in both hands  Cross the rope in right hand over the rope in the left hand.  Cross the rope in the left hand over the rope in the right hand.  Pull ends to tighten the knot.  Knot should slide loose if ends are pushed.

9.  Make a bight on the larger of the two ropes.  Slip the smaller of the ropes through the bight.  Wrap the smaller rope about the bight.  (Be careful to wrap the shorter end first)  Tuck the end of the smaller rope through between the smaller rope and the larger rope.  Pull tight.

10.  Wrap the working end of the rope around a standing object.  Cross working end over the standing end and wrap around the standing object again.  Tuck working end under the cross rope.

11.  Wrap working end around object.  Form bight on working end of rope around standing end of rope  Wrap working end several times (4-5) around other side of bight  Pull standing end tight

12.  Form bight on standing end of rope.  Twist several times (4-5 twists)  Wrap working end around object.  Tuck working end through the loop  Pull rope through and pull tight

13.  Wrap working end around object.  Wrap working end around standing end with working end inside of the cross to the object  Pull 1 st half hitch tight.  Continue to wrap working end about standing end outside of 1 st half hitch and tuck to create 2 nd half hitch.  Pull 2 nd half hitch tight.  Option – Round Turn and Two Half Hitches  Wrap working end around object twice.

14.  Wrap working end around object and cross over standing end.  Wrap working end around standing end inside of cross twice (two wraps).  Wrap working end about standing end of rope outside of cross and form half hitch.  Pull on knot to increase tension on standing end.

15.  Wrap working end around object and cross over standing end.  Wrap working end around standing end inside of cross.  Wrap working end around again between cross and first wrap. Pull tight to tuck 2 nd turn in.  Wrap working end about standing end of rope outside of cross and form half hitch.  Pull on knot to increase tension on standing end.

16.  Form a bight a distance away from the working end (far enough for the loop to form) (Make sure standing end is on bottom of bight)  Bring working end up through bight.  Wrap working end behind the standing end.  Bring working end down through bight.  Pull standing end to tighten knot (DO NOT pull working end).

17.  Form bight near working end.  Cross working end in front of standing end and then behind standing end (form 8).  Tuck working end through bight from front.  Pull standing end to tighten.

18.  Clove Hitch on a Bight = tie off middle of rope  Bowline on a Bight = make two loops middle  Sheep Shank = shorten rope  Tillers Hitch = Adjustable  Square Lashing = tie two poles at right angles  Diagonal Lashing = tie two poles at 45 degrees  Sheer Lashing = tie two poles parallel  Tripod Lashing = tie three poles making tripod

19.  Make two bights of opposite orientation in the rope.  Slide loops together so that the rope ends are to the inside of the rope connecting the two loops.  Place loops over object to the hitch is to be tied.  Pull ends of rope tight.

20.  Make a large bight a little over twice the size of your wanted loops in the rope.  Make an overhand knot with the bight end over the standing ropes end.  Feed both of the formed loops through the bight  Pull bight over the overhand knot and pull on the standing ropes to tighten

21.  Form two bights facing opposite hands to take up the slack in the rope.  Form half hitch on each side of the bights around the bights.  Pull tight.  Option 1 – Form another half hitch on each side for two half hitches (more secure)  Option 2- Place a stick through the bight ends outside of the half hitches to keep from slipping.

22.  Basically the same as a sheet bend but with a loop that is easily untied.  Make a bight in the larger rope.  Feed smaller rope through the loop.  Form half hitch about lager rope with smaller rope while leaving the cross rope as a loop.  Pull standing end of small rope to tighten.

23.  Cross poles at 90 o angles.  Tie clove hitch on one pole.  Cross wrap the rope 3-4 times about the poles going under one and then over the other.  Frap the ropes 3-4 times, pulling tight with each frap.  Tie a clove hitch to one pole to finish.

24.  Cross poles at angle needed (may be adjusted)  Tie timber hitch to over the cross of poles.  Cross wrap the poles 3-4 times diagonally over the cross of the poles, then 3-4 times the other direction diagonally.  Frap the ropes 3-4 times, pulling tight on each frap.  Tie a clove hitch to finish.

25.  Place pole ends next to each other.  Tie clove hitch about both poles  Wrap rope around both poles, tightening with each wrap.  Tie clove hitch to both poles to finish.  Option – fraps may be used to tighten, but will push poles apart.  Option – place sticks on both sides of poles to fill gap under rope.

26.  Place poles parallel to each other.  Loosely tie timber hitch about both poles.  Loosely wrap rope about both poles 6-8 times.  Frap ropes pulling tight with each frap.  Tie clove hitch to one pole to finish.  Poles angles can be adjusted for a bipod.

27.  Place three poles parallel to each other.  Tie clove hitch to one outside pole.  Loosely rack (weave)the rope through the three poles 3-4 times.  Frap the ropes between each of the poles 3-4 times, tightening with each frap.  Tie clove hitch to outside pole to finish.  Pull outside poles across each other and rest center pole over the crossed poles.

28.  Surgeons Knot = Square knot with double turn  Thieves Knot = Square knot with ends opposite  Bowtie Knot = Slippery square knot (Shoe)  Fisherman’s Knot = Tie two ropes together  Cinch Knot = Tie fishing line to a hook or swivel.  Truckers Hitch = adjustable tie off  Alpine Butterfly = loop in the middle of rope  Monkey Fist = decorative rope end knot

29.  Cross two ropes twice (two overhand knots)  Turn the ropes and cross once (one overhand)  Pull ropes tight.  This knot will look like a square knot with two wraps in the first cross rather than one.

30.  Make a bight in one rope.  Pass the other rope through the bight.  Make bight over both ends of first rope, crossing the working end first.  Feed working end of second rope back through the bight of first rope.  This will look like a square knot, but working ends will be on opposite sides of the knot.

31.  Tie a square knot, but make the second turn in loops rather than pulling through.  Could also be called the slippery square knot.  This is the knot commonly used for tying shoes.

32.  Lay two ropes or lines next to each other.  Tie overhand knot (half hitch) in each rope over the other rope.  Pull working ends to tighten knots.  Pull standing ends to slide knots together.

33.  Pass line about the object to be tied (or through eyelet of swivel or hook)  Wrap line about itself (like timber hitch)  Pass line through bight formed by first twist.  Pass line through new loop formed.  Pull standing end to tighten.  Excess line can be clipped.

34.  Tie slippery overhand knot about rope forming a bight in the knot.  Form a bight about which object is to be tied.  Feed rope through original bight in knot.  Pull working end to tighten rope.  Tie slippery overhand knot about rope to finish.  Caution – entire knot will come undone by pulling on end of final knot.

35.  Wrap rope about your hand for three wraps (leave middle wrap loose).  Pull middle wrap under third wrap.  Pull formed bight back under all three wraps (from first to third).  Pull on bight to tighten.

36.  Form a large bight in the rope.  Twist the bight to form a figure eight.  Pull the top bight over front of rope making two loops.  Feed bight through loops from the back of the rope.

37.  Loosely wrap rope about fingers three times.  Spread middle and ring fingers apart.  Wrap rope about loops formed three times.  Pull knot off of hand.  Wrap rope three times inside of first set of loops but outside of second set of loops.  Work looseness out of knot to standing end.  Can be tied about object (rock, acorn, etc) for more weight or size.

38.  Chinese Button = Large decorative knot  Turks Head = Wraps other object (Waggle)  Daisy Chain = Decorative rope knot  Braid Knot = Three strand decorative knot  Square Sinnet = Decorative straight fob  Round Sinnet = Decorative round fob  Cobra Stitch = Two strand decorative knot  Camp Gadget = make something useful.

39.  lace the cord through your fingers with your palm facing up the midpoint of the knot will be under your fingers at the back of your hand.  fold each end of the cord over your fingers.  loop each end in a semi-circular fashion.  lace each end under it's respective standing part where they curve over your fingers at this point you have a Carrick Bend.  each end should again travel in a semi-circle, then be tucked under the knot through to the diamond in the center the other landmark to keep in mind is that the working ends must pass the loop that is around your fingers before being tucked under the rest of the knot.  pull on the ends and the loop around your fingers while pushing the edges of the disk towards your hand.  http://www.chineseknotting.org/button/howto1/

40.  Start at the center of the line, by taking a bight around an object (the fingers of the left hand work well)  Complete the round turn and cross the working end over the standing end.  Take a second bight around the object so that the running end is between the standing end and the first wrap.  Lay the running end across the first wrap then tuck the running end under the standing end.  Lay the standing end across the second wrap and tuck it under the first wrap. Cross the second wrap over the first wrap.  Reeve the standing end through the eye formed between the two wraps. Reeve the running end through the eye between the two wraps so that the ends are in opposite directions.

41.  Tie a slippery overhand knot.  Feed a bight of the working end through the bight of the knot.  Keep this pattern to form the chain.  Feed the working end through the final bight to finish the chain.  Untie by pulling working end out of the final bight and pulling on the rope.

42.  Fold the rope into two opposing bights (Like the start of a sheep shank).  Braid the three ropes from the standing end by alternately crossing the sides over the center rope.  Feed working end through the bight at the end of the braid to finish the knot.

43.  Find the middle of two cords.  Cross the cords perpendicular to each other.  If you wish to have a key ring on the fob, place such that the ring surrounds the cross.  Cross the bottom cord (1) over the top cord.  Tuck other cord (2) over the ends of (1) and under the loops that are formed.  Keep this chain going alternating cords crossing to the same side of the sinnet.

44.  Follow same instructions for the square sinnet except: When crossing the cord and tucking into the loops, cross the ropes to opposite sides.

45.  Form a large bight in the rope and wrap the bight through a form a W with the rope.  Cross the end on left over, and end on right under, the center of the W.  Tuck the ends through the loops formed.  Cross the right over the center and the left under the center and tuck ends through.  Continue the stitch down the center and tuck the ends through the loop at end to finish.

46.  Make something useful at a scout camp.

47.  Decorative Rope Project.  Knot master certification.

48.  Knot master document - Glenn Beaupre’  Knot Master, Troop 994 Woodstock, GA  Knots by Grog Http://www.animatedknots.com/  http://www.chineseknotting.org/button/howto1  http://www.ropeworks.biz/ http://www.ropeworks.biz/  http://www.2020site.org/knots/ http://www.2020site.org/knots/  BSA handbook 2010 edition  http://www.troop54.com/ http://www.troop54.com/  http://knots.hostzi.com/

49.  Andy Albee  Advancement chair  Knot Master  andybsa509@yahoo.com andybsa509@yahoo.com  763-434-7272

50.  Form bight in rope 1 with working end under standing end.  Pass rope 2 over the standing end and under working end of rope 1  Make bight in standing end of rope 2 and pass through bight of rope 1.  Feed working end of rope 2 through bight.  Pull standing ends to tighten bend

51.  Wrap working end about the object.  Make a half hitch in the working end.  Make a bight in the standing end and feed through the half hitch in the working end.  Make a bight in the working end and feed through the bight in the standing end.  Pull on the standing end to tighten hitch.  Will come loose with a pull on working end.

52.  Coil the rope  Make a bight in the working end.  Make a half hitch over the coils making sure to capture the standing end.  Make a second half hitch over the coil capturing the working end.

53.  Coil rope.  Make a bight in the working end.  Wrap bight about both sides of coil.  Feed bight between the wrap and the top of the coil.  Pull tight and hang coil from bight.

54.  Form a large bight.  Twist 270 o the bight to cross the ends.  Pull the sides of the bight past the rope cross.  Place over object to be tied.  Pull ends of rope.  Option – tie a clove hitch and tuck working end under the first cross. Pull tight.