Making a Double Bowline

The double bowline is slightly more secure than a traditional bowline

To tie the double bowline start by making a double loop (go around the pond twice) then bring the otter out and around the tree back into the pond in the same way as the regular bowline. THEN bring the working end back and under through the loop that goes around the tree where the red dotted line is. Tighten and tidy the knot. It will hold much better. If you want you can leave a longer tail and put a hitch around the tree. I've never had it come undone

I keep a piece of line in my desk and practice new knots. Eventually I remember. I'm not a gifted knot maker but I've learned a dozen or so that seem to do the job.

It's possible to tie a bowline without having access to the ends. It makes a couple of loops in a line that don't slide and can be used to attach a block or other bit. it's then called a Bowline on a Bight

Some of my Knot Pages

• The Anchor Bend Knot
• Bowline, The Must Know Knot
• Bowline on a bight, how to tie a bowline if you don't have the ends.
• Cleat Hitch it's surprising how many people can't tie this knot properly
• Constrictor Knots make it a point of being difficult to untie. it's their job!
• Highwayman's Hitch makes it a point of being easy to untie, good for a quick hitch at the dock or where you need to get it undone fast
• Reef Knots are used to reef sails, otherwise they are very unreliable.
• Rolling Hitch A useful knot that can be tied on another line to pull some slack so you can untie a knot or untangle a winch line.
• Sheet Bend joins 2 ropes together
• The Stopper Knot stops a knot from running out of a cleat. 2 styles
• Truckers Hitch helps tighten a rope around a canoe on a car or on a trailer.
• Farmer's Loop Similar to the Trucker's hitch, easy to tie.
• Round Turn and two half hitches a useful multipurpose knot
• The Fireman's coil keeps your coiled rope from getting tangled.
• Buntline Hitch, a very old knot that has found a new life with modern slippery rope