A version of this story ran in The Virginian-Pilot on Sept. 14, 2005. Hurricane or no, we’re in for a blow. Time to start thinking about how to secure the woodpile or lash the garbage cans to a tree.

For many of us, untangling our earbuds is the extent of our survivalist knot knowledge. Tying knots is just for sailors and mountain climbers, right? Turns out, there are a few simple knots that you ...

Do you know what a sheepshank is? How about a sheet bend, a carrick bend, a clove hitch or an Eskimo bowline? Not familiar with Western culture? Then perhaps you know the Pan Chang, Chinese button or ...

This part of the globe is currently teetering on the precipice between summer and fall, and it’s prime outdoor season. It’s still warm enough outside for most summer activities, and over the next few ...

I learned to tie the rolling hitch knot while taking sailing lessons. It is a particularly useful knot when tying a line to a vertical post, as the knot will not slip downward. The more downward ...

This classic knot is useful in situations where you're connecting two pieces of rope. You can always add more pieces of rope, and this knot can be... This classic knot is useful in situations where ...

Learn how to tie the Mooring Hitch, a reliable quick-release adjustable knot commonly used for boating, docking, camping, and securing loads. This knot holds firmly under tension yet releases ...