Cow hitch
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Special Knots, and Advanced Knots, for Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.
| Cow hitch | |
 | |
| Names | Cow hitch, Strap hitch, Lanyard hitch, Lark's head, or Girth hitch |
|---|---|
| Typical use | |
| Caveat | The Cow hitch is one of the least secure of the hitches. |
| Releasing | |
| Category | knots |
| Group | Special knots |
| Related | |
- Required for
- Instructions
The Cow Hitch is like Two half-hitches with the second hitch reversed.
Pass the end of the rope around a ring, post, pole, tree, etc. Bring the end over and under the body of the rope (known as the standing part),then back through the loop thus formed. That makes a half hitch. Take the end around the standing part a second time and tie another half hitch but with the two half hitches facing each other. Pull it snug.
- Lesson Videos
- Grog's Animated Knots: Girth Hitch - Wonder How To Video: Girth Hitch Knot - Wonder How To Video: Girth Hitch/Larks Foot - Wonder How To Video: Lanyard Knot - Wonder How To Video: Lanyard Loop Knots - Wonder How To Video: Larks Head Knots - Grog's Animated Knots: Girth Hitch - Video: Larkshead - Video: Cow Hitch
- Notes
The Cow hitch hitches a rope to a metal ring, pole, or another rope. It is also used in Horsemanship for typing a leather strap to a ring or hitching post. In Small-Boat Sailing, the Cow hitch is used to secure a lanyard to a shroud or jib sheet to a clew, etc.
- Grog notes: "The Girth Hitch is much more familiar than many of us recognize: it is the same knot we use to link a pair of elastic bands."
- See The Ashley Book of Knots # 1694, p. 294).
- The Cow hitch (Lark's head) is one of the Forty knots.
- See also
