Practical Scoutcraft
Knots & Lashings
Three useful building blocks for campcraft and pioneering.
Knots and lashings are most useful when they are practised with real rope and spars. Learn what each one is for, tie it slowly, then repeat it until the sequence feels natural.
Clove Hitch
A quick hitch around a post or spar. It is commonly used to begin or finish a lashing when the direction of pull will keep it secure.
Round Lashing
Binds two parallel spars together. It can extend a pole or hold side-by-side spars where the load is appropriate.
Square Lashing
Fastens two spars crossing at roughly a right angle and is a foundation skill for supervised pioneering projects.
Safety:
Knots and lashings on this website are for Scoutcraft practice, not climbing, rescue or life-support use. Any structure that will carry a person or a significant load must be designed, built and checked under appropriately skilled adult supervision.