This knot is one of those things you're going to thank yourself for learning. Let me introduce the rolling hitch. Known for its ease of tying and ability to fasten to another rope, all while being completely adjustable.

The Rolling Hitch

The rolling hitch has so many different applications, many of which might surprise you. For instance, if you have a knot that's tied to a really tight rope, it might be hard to undo. The rolling hitch can take the tension off of your main line, so you can undo the knot.

Or when there's not enough tension on the line, or it's sagging, you can tie this hitch to make it taut without having to mess with existing knots. It's also a great knot to use on drawstrings on your sweatpants or shorts because it's adjustable. You can also use it to cinch down on bundles.

How To Tie The Rolling Hitch

Step 1:

Take your line, and cross over the object or rope that you want to connect to.

Step 2:

Do one full turn on the side that you're pulling tension from.

Step 3:

Hold the loop with your left hand, and with your right hand, take the free end of the rope and slip it upward through the loop.

Step 4:

Wrap the free end around the back of the standing line and slip it back into the loop again.

Step 5:

Continue to go all the way around the top this time and feed that tag end underneath itself.

Step 6:

Pull in opposite directions, and you have your rolling hitch. In short, it's two diagonal wraps underneath and one wrap above.

How to Check if the Knot is Tied Correctly

Want to see if you tied the knot correctly? Check if you have two diagonal crossovers. Your tag end and your working end should face opposite directions, and the side you're applying tension on should have the two wraps.

Variations of the Rolling Hitch

If your knot accidentally comes out where it looks like a Clove Hitch, but with an extra wrap underneath, (notice how there's only one crossover and not the two).

Don't fret! You just tied a different variation of the rolling hitch. It's still a rolling hitch, and it still does the same thing. It's just better suited towards pulling side pressure and not downward.

Quick-Release Options

Instead of finishing it with just the tag end sliding underneath that final wrap, you can simply put a bight, which is a fold in the rope, and when you tighten it down, it does the same thing with the added benefit of just pulling the tag end and the whole thing comes loose.

In case you're wondering about undoing the normal hitch, just undo the top wrap and the whole thing comes loose immediately.

Different Uses for the Rolling Hitch

Relieving Rope Tension

If you're stuck with a jammed knot and a tight ridge line, the rolling hitch can help. By transferring tension to a new line, it gives slack to release the old knot. Quickly relieve stress and undo knots with this handy technique.

Adding Rope Tension

Need to tighten a slack line like a clothesline or ridge line? Wrap a rolling hitch around the ridgeline and slide for instant tension without undoing knots. It's a quick fix for sagging lines.

Adjustable Drawstrings

This is also the hitch that I use on drawstrings, like on sweatpants or shorts. When I do this version, I use that quick release at the end. This allows you to slide the knot to tighten the string or pull it to loosen. It has that quick release where if you pull, the whole thing comes loose.

Creating an Adjustable Shoulder Strap

The rolling hitch is also really good for repairs. Let's say you have a backpack and one of the drawstrings has snapped. You could bring the two lines together, tie a rolling hitch one onto the other, and now you have a fully adjustable strap.

Connecting Two Ropes

In the same way, it could be used to attach two lines. The rolling hitch makes a sort of adjustable loop that you might see on bracelets and necklaces. You can use your imagination from here and just apply it to whatever you want.

Adjustable Tarp Tie-Outs

The rolling hitch creates a secure tie-out from your tarp to the ridgeline. First, attach it to your tie-out straps, creating an adjustable line known as the Midshipman's Hitch. Then, tie another rolling hitch to the ridgeline, enabling horizontal sliding for perfect tarp tension.

Tying to a Vertical Rope

It's also the best hitch to use when tying to a vertical rope or tree as it's fully adjustable.

Creating a Floating Anchor Point

Let's say you want to change the angle of your tarp. The rolling hitch can pull on your main line to change the angle.

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