Ready to learn another useful knot? Meet the Alpine Butterfly Knot, which is also known as the Butterfly Loop or the Swiss Loop. This is a knot that could be tied midline, and it is commonly used as an attachment point.

How Strong is an Alpine Butterfly Knot?

It can bear load in any direction, and the beauty of this knot is no matter how hard you pull on either end, it's not going to bind up. This is unlike more common loop knots, like the Noose or the Slip Knot. Unfortunately, these loop knots cinch up whenever you pull the ends.

What is the Purpose of the Alpine Butterfly Knot?

You can use this versatile knot as a grab handle or for hoisting or hanging tools. Another lesser-known use of this knot is if you find a fray in your line, you can easily isolate it. Just wrap it around so your fray is exactly on the middle wrap. We're going to pull the cord underneath, pull it up and over the other cords, and underneath again.

When you tighten it all up, that frayed part of the rope doesn't receive any tension at all. You can pull on that line, and it's as if that fray wasn't even there.

Unconventional Use for an Alpine Butterfly Knot

The Alpine Butterfly knot offers a solution for securing and retrieving ropes without climbing trees. Instead of risking getting stuck, you cast the rope over the branch, thread it through the butterfly, and pull until it's taut against the tree. To retrieve it, simply pull the line with the butterfly attached, bringing the rope down safely.

How to Tie the Alpine Butterfly Knot

Without further ado, here's how to tie your very first Alpine Butterfly Knot.

Step 1:

With your right hand, create a bight or U-shaped fold and slide your left hand through from above. Wrap the cord around your left hand twice more. This should create a total of three wraps with the ends extending in opposite directions. Think of this as the under-over-under loop.

Step 2:

With your right hand, reach each under the cord, grab the middle loop, and pull it downward.

Step 3:

Pull some slack, bring the middle loop over the two remaining loops, and back under them to the front.

Step 4:

Grab that loop. Grab the two back ends tight, pull them together first, and then pull them apart. It's going to lock that loop perfectly in place, creating the Alpine Butterfly Knot.

And there you have it. Your first Alpine Butterfly Knot. Want to learn more about different knots and other helpful information about camping and the great outdoors? Head over to The Bear Essentials blog or YouTube channel for more tutorials and tips.