Tie a reef (square) knot
The flat, tidy knot for bandages, bundles and bag tops. Two crossings, and the order is the whole trick.
- Take an end in each hand.
- Cross right over left and tuck it under, like the first step of tying a shoe.
- Now cross left over right and tuck it under.
- Pull both ends. The two loops should lie flat and interlock, with each end beside its own standing part.
Tip: If it twists sideways instead of lying flat, you tied a granny knot. Redo the second cross the other way. Don't use a reef knot to join two ropes that will carry a load, because it can shake loose.
Try it now: Tie your shoelaces' two ends together with a reef knot and check that it lies flat.
Next crumbs
- 🪢 KnotsTie a bowlineA fixed loop that won't slip or jam, and still unties easily after holding a heavy load.
- 🪢 KnotsTie a clove hitchThe fastest way to tie a rope to a post or rail, and it's easy to adjust.
- 🪢 KnotsTie a figure-eight stopperA chunky knot at the end of a rope that stops it slipping through a hole, a pulley or your hand.