How To Tie A One Handed Bowline Knot

Knowing how to tie a one handed bowline knot is essential for climbers. Even though the bowline is traditionally tied using both hands, the one handed bowline is great when you only have one hand free. 

1. Start with the rope around your back with at least two feet of the short end in your hand.
2. Extend your thumb so that your free hand and thumb are over, or on top of, the rope. 
3. Hook the standing end of the rope with your thumb.
4. Turn your wrist over while keeping your thumb extended and let the loop around your thumb expand so that your fist can easily fit through.
5. Open your fist so that your fingers are straight, allowing the loop to slide around your wrist. The short, or working, end of the rope continues to be in your free hand.
6. Put the short end of the rope under, or behind, the standing end.
7. Use your fingers to wrap the short end around to the front of the standing end.
8. Pull your hand through the loop while continuing to hold on to the short end.
9. Use the remainder of the short end to tie a half hitch stopper knot below the one handed bowline. Stopper knots are recommended for extra security. For the half hitch, take the short end, wrap it around the standing end, bring it through and tighten. 

Caution:

• It is possible for your wrist to get trapped in the loop if there is a sudden strain on the rope. If you are in a situation where that might happen, then instead of bringing your wrist through the loop, guide the rope using your fingers.