Learn the figure 8 knot:
Knots are important but they’re hard to remember! So I decided to learn ONE. That knot is the Figure 8 knot. Once you learn it, the many variations are simple, and they come in handy for different situations. It’s easy to recognize this knot because it looks like the number 8 (if your knot looks like a 7 or a 12, try again!)
Once you’ve mastered the basic Figure 8 knot, you’re ready to try a variation, the Figure 8 on a Loop. The loop is sturdy, perfect for a carabiner. Clip in that popcorn maker and haul it up to your new treehouse! The steps are the same as above, except that you begin with a loop on the rope instead of a single end.
Now you’re ready to tie the Figure 8 Follow-Through. I use this knot when I want to secure two pieces of rope together. It’s easy! Just tie a Figure 8 on one end of a rope (see first illustration), leaving a little bit of tail. Take the end of the other rope and thread it along the first knot, starting at the tail. You’re following the first knot from its end to where it started. Try it!
Reprinted with permission from The Gutsy Girl: Escapades For Your Life Of Epic Adventure (Bloombury) by Caroline Paul, illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton.
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