Essential Knots for Tarps and Hammocks: A Bushcraft Guide
Updated: Aug 10
Knowing a few simple knots can make a huge difference when you're camping, bushcrafting or setting up a tarp and hammock system - the right knots can make this task easier and more efficient.
You don't need to learn dozens of complicated knots. In fact, mastering a small number of reliable knots that you can tie confidently and untie easily is far more useful when you're outdoors.
In this guide, we'll look at two particularly useful knots for tarp and hammock camping:
The timber hitch
The slippery figure-of-eight
These simple knots are useful for setting up shelters, wild camping, securing lines and adjusting your camping system, and they form part of the practical skills we teach on our bushcraft courses.
Watch Graham demonstrate the knots
In this video, Polaris Bushcraft's Chief Instructor Graham Couling demonstrates how to tie the timber hitch and slippery figure-of-eight and explains how they can be used when setting up tarps and hammocks.
The Timber Hitch: A Reliable Choice
The timber hitch is one of the most effective knots for securing tarps. It is simple yet strong. This knot is particularly useful when you need a secure hold on a larger load or when attaching a rope or guyline to a log, branch or other cylindrical object..
It grips when tension is applied, while being relatively easy to release afterwards.
For bushcraft and camping, it can be useful when working with natural materials or setting up parts of a tarp shelter.
How to tie a Timber Hitch
Pass the working end of your rope around the object you want to secure.
Bring the working end underneath the standing part of the rope.
Wrap the working end around itself two times.
Tuck the working end underneath the final turn.
Pull the standing part to tighten the knot. It should hold firmly.
The more tension you apply, the more securely the hitch grips.
As with any knot used outdoors, make sure you understand how it behaves under load and check your setup before relying on it.
The Slippery Figure of Eight: Quick and Easy
Next up is the slippery figure-of-eight. This knot allows for adjustable tension, which is perfect for hammocks. It provides flexibility while also ensuring safety.
Its advantage is that it can be released relatively quickly by pulling the appropriate end, making it useful when you're setting up or taking down a shelter and want a knot that isn't difficult to untie.
It's particularly useful to know when working with tarp and hammock systems, where you may need to adjust or dismantle your setup regularly.
How to Tie a Slippery Figure of 8
Create a figure-eight loop with your rope.
Pass the working end back through the loop.
This will create two loops: one on top of the other.
Pull on the standing part to tighten the knot.
To release it, pull the appropriate end.
The slippery figure of 8 is quick to tie and untie, making it an excellent choice for those who move frequently.
Practise this knot several times before relying on it outdoors. The important thing is to become familiar with how it tightens, how it releases and how it behaves when tension is applied.
Why are knots important in bushcraft?
Knots are one of those basic outdoor skills that become much more useful once you start putting them into practice.
A few reliable knots can help you:
Set up tarp shelters
Secure guy lines
Attach cordage to natural materials
Create tension in shelter systems
Set up hammocks
Adjust your camping equipment
Work with rope and cordage safely
You don't need to become an expert in every type of knot. Start by learning a handful of useful knots and, most importantly, learn when and why to use them.
This is one of the things that makes practical bushcraft training so valuable. Instead of simply memorising a knot from a diagram, you can learn how it works and immediately put it into practice outdoors.
Tying the timber hitch or slippery figure of 8 can elevate your outdoor experience. These knots ensure that your tarp remains secure against the elements. They also allow you to set up your hammock quickly and efficiently.
Tarp and hammock camping
A tarp and hammock can provide a lightweight and versatile camping system, particularly when you're staying in woodland.
A hammock keeps you off the ground while the tarp provides good protection from rain and wind.
Combining the two gives you a versatile lightweight camping system that works particularly well in woodland environments. Depending on the conditions and the equipment you're using, the system can be adapted in different ways.
If you're new to bushcraft, learning a small number of reliable knots is far more useful than trying to memorise dozens of different knots.
Setting up a tarp and hammock successfully involves more than simply knowing a couple of knots, however.
You'll also need to think about:
Choosing suitable anchor points
Creating appropriate tension
Positioning your shelter away from hazards
Protecting trees from damage
Allowing enough clearance underneath the tarp
Considering wind direction
Managing rainwater runoff
Checking your setup before settling down for the night
If you're interested in wild camping in Hertfordshire, our guide explains some of the options available locally where landowners offer wild camping, as well as important considerations around permissions and responsible camping.
Bushcraft shelters: tarps, hammocks and natural shelters
Tarps and hammocks are just one part of learning how to create an effective outdoor shelter.
Traditional bushcraft also involves understanding how to work with natural materials and how to construct shelters that provide protection from the elements.
On our Bushcraft Essentials Day, you'll learn practical shelter-building skills, including how to erect a tarp shelter and the knots involved.
It's a great introduction if you're new to bushcraft and want to learn the fundamentals before progressing to a longer bushcraft weekend.
Find out more about our Bushcraft Essentials Day.
Choosing and using cordage
The type of cordage you use can make a difference to how easy your knots are to tie and how well they hold. For tarp and hammock systems, you'll commonly encounter synthetic ropes and cords designed specifically for outdoor use. We recommend the outdoor paracord range at The Bushcraft Store.
What should you bring for tarp or hammock camping?
If you're planning to try tarp or hammock camping for the first time, you don't need to spend a fortune on specialist equipment.
At Polaris Bushcraft, all tools, knives and specialist teaching equipment is provided on our courses, and our weekend participants can use a hammock and tarp system if they wish.
If you're attending a weekend course, we've put together a complete guide explaining what to bring to a bushcraft course, including clothing, sleeping equipment, cooking equipment and other useful items.
Want to learn these skills yourself?
Learning knots from a video is a great starting point, but there's nothing like practising them outdoors with an instructor and then putting them to use.
If you'd like to experience tarp and hammock camping in a woodland setting while learning bushcraft skills, Polaris Bushcraft offers weekend courses at our private ancient woodland camp near Bayford, Hertfordshire.
Our 2-Day Bushcraft Course provides an immersive opportunity to learn shelter building, fire lighting, water skills, campcraft, tool use and other practical bushcraft techniques and survival skills.
There's a big difference between watching someone demonstrate a knot and learning how to use it yourself. On a Polaris Bushcraft course, you'll have the opportunity to practise practical skills in the woodland and understand how they fit together.
You might start with a simple knot and then use it to create part of a shelter.
You can then see how the shelter behaves when the wind changes, adjust the tension and understand why the knot and setup matter.
That's the advantage of learning bushcraft hands-on.
Professional Bushcraft Training
Tarp shelters and knots aren't only useful for recreational camping.
Tarp shelters and knots are also an important part of professional bushcraft training. The IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate includes tarp shelters and knots as one of its assessed bushcraft units.
In summary, mastering these two knots can significantly improve your outdoor skills. The timber hitch and slippery figure of 8 can make your setup process smoother, safer and more enjoyable. Knowing how to use them will prepare you for various situations.
A final word on safety
Knots and shelter systems should always be used appropriately and checked carefully before use.
Hammocks, ropes, tarps and other outdoor equipment can fail if they are incorrectly installed or overloaded. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your equipment and inspect anchor points, ropes and attachment systems regularly.
When camping outdoors, always consider weather conditions, falling branches, fire safety and the suitability of your chosen location.
The aim of bushcraft is to develop practical skills while enjoying and respecting the natural environment by leaving no trace.
Happy knotting, and we'll see you in the woods!
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