How to tie it
- 1Make a small overhand loop near the standing part, leaving enough tail for the loop size you want. This small loop is “the hole.”
- 2Pass the tail up through the hole from underneath. The rabbit comes up out of the hole.
- 3Carry the tail behind the standing part. Around the tree.
- 4Bring the tail back down through the same small loop. Back down the hole.
- 5Hold the big loop and pull the standing part to set it. Dress the knot so the turns sit snug and even.
Remember it as
Rabbit out of the hole, round the tree, back down the hole.
When to use it
- Rescue and safety loops. It won't cinch tighter under strain, so it's the loop you put around a person or your own waist.
- Tying to a fixed point. A post, ring, or anchor where you need a dependable loop that stays put.
- Guy lines. Through tent or tarp grommets, where you want a loop that holds in wind but comes undone fast when you strike camp.
Common mistakes & safety
- Don't fight it under load. A bowline resists being tied or untied while the standing end is loaded. That's its main limitation, so form it before tension goes on.
- Leave a real tail. Dress and set the knot, then leave several inches of tail. A short or sloppy tail can creep loose under repeated on-and-off pulling.
- Back it up when it matters. A plain bowline can shake loose or capsize in slick rope or heavy motion. For anything life-critical, add a stopper in the tail or use a more secure variant.
Going deeper
- Why it releases so easily. After loading, you “break” the knot by folding the collar over the standing part and the whole structure loosens at once — the same trait that lets it shake loose when left unloaded.
- Variants for extra security. The double bowline, Yosemite bowline, and water bowline are used where the plain bowline’s tendency to loosen is a concern.
- “The king of knots.” A common nickname, reflecting how central the bowline is to rope work.
- Running bowline. Tied so the standing part runs through the loop, it becomes a sliding noose that tightens around an object — different from the plain fixed loop.
- Bowline vs. two half-hitches on a post. The bowline gives a fixed loop that keeps its size; two half-hitches cinch around the object and can be worked snug against it. Choose the fixed loop when you don’t want it to close down on what it holds.
- Practice it to automatic. Worth drilling until you can tie it fast, even with your eyes closed, since it’s often needed in a hurry.
Official source
How to tie the 7 basic Scout knots — Scout Life →Rank requirements and official wording live with Scouting America. Confirm the current requirement text at scouting.org before signing anything off.