Hitches

Rolling Hitch

Taut hitch to another rope
DIFFICULTY ●●○○○

A clove hitch with an extra turn stacked on the loaded side. That extra turn lets it grip a pole — or another rope — against a pull that runs along the object instead of away from it.

boatingrigginglengthwise-pull
See it tied step-by-step ↗

Why it earns its place

The answer to a specific hard problem: attaching a rope so it won't slide down a smooth pole or along a loaded line. Sailors use it to take strain off a jammed winch.

Where it fails

Direction matters: the doubled turns must face the pull. On very slick modern rope it can creep; add turns or use a purpose-made friction hitch.

Quick facts

TypeLengthwise-pull hitch
Under loadGood along the object
UntyingEasy
Best forPull parallel to pole or rope

Related knots