Nuts for Nautical Knots

Alexandra Dyer & Nathan Shields

Background.- a knot is an interlacement of one or more ropes, cords, or other pliable materials, commonly used to bind objects together. Most knots were invented for sailing purposes (storing cargo, on the main sheets, for docking, and fishing). You may think that anyone can invent a knot, but as a general rule, the more aesthetically pleasing a knot is, the more effective it is. The knots we're going to teaching today are the square knot, the bowline, two half hitches, the cow hitch, the granny knot, the timber hitch, the cat's paw, the constrictor knot, the overhand knot, the clove hitch, the slip knot, the figure eight, and the tracer eight.

-Objective: to teach students the important knots they should know for sailing...and life in general.

Activity: we will teach the class the six basic knots we've listed, and then have a knot-tying race with prizes. Each individual will be provided with a length of rope to practice with, and will tie around whatever is available (no auxiliary props [such as sticks or rails] will be necessary).