Slippery hitch

A slippery hitch is a knot used to attach a line to a rod or bar.^[1] It does not provide great strength compared to some other knots, but it can be tied relatively quickly and released very easily.^[2] These characteristics mean that it is used on square-rigged ships for securing the gaskets that bind stowed sails to the yards.

Slippery hitch
Category	Hitch
Related	clove hitch
Typical use	To attach a line to a rod or bar.

The slippery hitch is effectively a clove hitch finished with a slipped loop. To tie one, begin as for a clove hitch, but instead of passing the end of the line through the loop in the final step, pass a bight instead, leaving the end on the original side. Pulling on this end will release the hitch. If tied in a gasket, this will quickly release the sail.

A slippery hitch – a clove hitch with a loop in the end.

See also

• List of knots