| Slippery hitch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Category | Hitch |
| Related | clove hitch |
| Typical use | To attach a line to a rod or bar. |
Aslippery 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 thegaskets that bind stowed sails to theyards.
The slippery hitch is effectively aclove hitch finished with aslipped 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 abight 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.
