Lashing guide
Square Lashing
A core pioneering lashing for spars crossing at roughly a right angle.
What it is used for
Square Lashing fastens two spars that cross at approximately a right angle. It is widely used for supervised campcraft and pioneering projects such as simple racks, frames and gateways.
Wraps and fraps
Wrapping turns bind the spars. Frapping turns pass between the spars and tighten the wrapping turns.
How to tie a Square Lashing
- Start with a Clove Hitch on the upright spar, directly below the cross spar. Twist the short end around the working rope to keep it tidy.
- Make three or four square wrapping turns: over the cross spar, behind the upright, under the cross spar and in front of the upright.
- Keep the turns close together on the outside of the spars and crossing over one another between the spars.
- Make two or three firm frapping turns between the spars to tighten the lashing.
- Finish with a Clove Hitch on the cross spar. Dress the lashing and have it checked before loading the project.