The cow hitch is a knot (specifically, a hitch).
Typing a cow hitch around a ring
Canonical Name
Cow hitch.
Variant Name(s)
Lark's head, Girth hitch.
Category
Origin
Unknown.
Related knots
Cat's paw hitch is similar, with extra turns in each bight. The Prusik knot consists of a pair of girth hitches.
Releasing
Non-jamming.
Efficiency
Unknown.
Caveat
None.
Uses
Tying to a ring or pole.
Comments
The Cow hitch is probably the simplest of the hitches, and is the least secure. Even tension must be applied to both of the standing parts of the rope, else the knot can work loose.
Structure
The cow hitch is comprised of two half-hitches tied in opposing directions.
Tying
This method can be used when both the standing parts of the rope are available.
- Form a bight and pass it through the ring from the underneath.
- Pull the head of the bight downwards, and reach through it, grabbing both standing parts of the rope.
- Pull both standing parts of the rope through the bight.
