Clove Hitch

 Clove comes from the word cleave, meaning "to hold fast." The clove hitch can be used to start most lashings.

	Bring the rope end over...
	...and under a pole.
	Take it around a second time, crossing over the first wrap to form the shape of an X.
	Bring the rope end around a third time and tuck it under itself at the center of the X.
	Pull the end of the rope to tighten the hitch.
	An alternate way of tying a clove hitch makes it easy to lay the knot over the end of a pole. Make a loop near the end of the rope. Make an identical loop next to the first. Without turning over either loop, lay the first loop on top of the second. Place the pair of loops over the end of a pole and tighten.

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