Author: Kristine Konrad

HOW TO TIE A BOWLINE KNOT

Select a thick string or thin rope for this knot. 

LEFT HAND - This is your holding hand, palm down, fingers curled around the rope in a fist.

POSITION - Grasp the rope with your left hand near the free end of the rope, the majority of the rope on the left, 
	and rope end extending to the right. This is the Free End of the rope. 
 	
START - Start with the Free End of the rope just protruding from your left hand (fist),
    	with your left thumb pointing along the rope to the right. 
	Your left hand now holds the rope securely.

RIGHT HAND - This is your working hand. It "works" the rope into a knot.
 	With your right hand, draw about 10 inches of rope through your left hand to the right.
	The end of the rope, now to your right, becomes the Working End of the rope.
	The part of the rope next to, and to the right of your left hand becomes the Fixed Part of the rope,
	the non-moving part. The rest of the 10 inch length becomes the "working part" of the rope.
 	It works to make the knot. Let go of the rope.

FIRST LOOP - Grasp the Free End of the rope about 2 inches from your left thumb.
	Make a 1-inch diameter loop, clockwise, next to your left thumb.
	Hold the loop with your left thumb and index finger at the point where the strings cross.
	This is the First Loop held by your thumb and index finger.

SECOND LOOP - Grasp theFree End of the rope. Make another clockwise half-loop. This is the Second Loop.
	Insert the Free End through the First Loop, so the Free End points to the left, 
	and extends about 2 inches through and to the left of the First Loop.

THIRD LOOP - Curl the Free End clockwise downward and under the Fixed rope. This is the Third Loop.
	Continue to curl the free end clockwise and Insert it through the First Loop so that the free end points to the right. 
            
COLLAPSE - Grasp the Second Loop and pull gently so that the First Loop and the Third Loop close around the Fixed rope.

This completes the Bowline knot. Test it by pulling on the Second Loop. The loop should not close.

REFERENCE - www.animatedknots.com/bowline/

131109 (c) 2013 Lee F. Donaghey