Thanks to the popular television show, Spongebob Squarepants, nearly everyone knows how to tie their shoe by the time they enter Kindergarten. Although The Flying Dutchman shows Spongebob some unrealistic knots like the Monkey Knot, the Pillow Knot, and the Gut Knot (he doesn’t know how to wear a shoe because he doesn’t have feet, although sometimes he puts a smelly sock on his tail), he does convey to the audience the importance of knowing basic knots. Knowing knots can be useful for outdoor activities like camping, are crucial in life-threatening situations, and can help make some tasks easier. Here are a few basic knots that I found to be particularly useful:

1. The Square Knot

The square knot is helpful in tying two ropes together or for binding things, like bundling firewood. Even though it is not used for safety, this basic knot does have a variety of uses such as shoe and gift tying.

2. The Clove Hitch

This simple and effective knot can be used to secure a rope to an object like a tree or a bench, and although it is pretty secure, there is the possibility of it slipping when it is used without a backup.

3. The Figure Eight

This knot obviously gets its name from the number it resembles once it is tied. This is an important knot to know, because even though it is very easy to make, it is used to make more complex knots. This knot is mainly used in rock climbing.

4. Tripod Lashing

I first learned this knot in my high school gym-class-alternative: Wilderness Survival. This knot ties three poles together and can be helpful in creating shelters or other things needed at a campsite. It looks quite labor intensive but is nonetheless very useful.

5. The Windsor Knot

Surprise- this last knot is not one you use a rope for but is possibly the most impressive way a gent can tie his tie. The Windsor Knot looks good for any formal (or even informal) occasion.