View Video: Clove Hitch and Half Hitches
“The first and everlasting thing to remember about the clove hitch is that it is composed of two half hitches.” John Thurman, Gilwell Camp Chief
All you do is tie two similar half hitches and bring them together and you have a clove hitch. If this concept is applied when completing a common round, shear, tripod, traditional diagonal, or traditional square lashing, you’ll find tying a clove hitch tight against the wraps or fraps is a snap! As the photos show, first half hitch, pull it snug against the fraps / second half hitch, pull it snug against the first half hitch / you’ve got a clove hitch!
Here’s a further demonstration. When proceeding from the right and moving to the left, the running end can be carried over the top of the spar (as shown on the left), brought down behind the standing part (as shown in the middle), and then carried over the standing part (as shown on the right). That’s the first half hitch.
For the second half hitch, simply repeat the process next to and to the left of the first half hitch, tucking the running end under itself (as shown on the left). That’s a clove hitch. An extra half hitch can be added (as shown in the middle), and a fourth half hitch can be added (as shown on the right), etc.
When proceeding from the left and moving to the right, just reverse the process.
