Troop 362 Knot masters

Are you READY?

Idea borrowed from the North Star District
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Hey, Scouts and Scouters!  How about a fun and competitive way to learn tying knots? Knotmasters will help us learn the knots needed for advancement and keep our skills sharp. Every Scout and Adult in the Troop will enjoy participating. Here's how it works.

There are nine skill levels in the program. The first seven levels are represented by a white rope with a different color whipping. The eighth level is a green rope with red whipping. The ninth and highest level, that of the Advanced Knotmaster, will be signified by a braided leather rope. Everyone starts out with a plain white rope. Each level represents an increase in skill and knowledge. Skill levels are achieved one meeting or activity at a time. As we learn, we will in turn teach and encourage each other to continue to learn new knots. The real fun of Knotmasters is in the competition. Any Scout or Adult can challenge the knot tying ability of any other Scout or Adult at any time except during the business part of a troop meeting. Only one challenge is allowed per person per day. You are allowed only two attempts to properly make each knot. You also need to know the purpose of each knot. Knots are not useful unless you know how to apply them.

If you can not tie the knots required for the level rope you are wearing, you must return to the next lower level rope by whipping your rope again with the color of the lower level. You may not advance to a higher level until the next meeting or activity. If you show up at a meeting or activity without your rope, you are allowed to borrow one of the troop's ropes but cannot advance until you bring your own rope. Borrowed ropes must be returned at the end of that meeting or activity.  Lost ropes may be replaced for $1.00 each.

To wear your rope is an honor! It signifies what you know and how well you can apply what you know with rope. Your rope must never be used inappropriately. NEVER - use your rope to tie or hit another person, swing your rope in the air, or use it in any other dangerous manner. Failure to follow these rules will result in the return to the first level or loss of your privilege to wear the rope of the Knotmasters.

*SPL may designate an ASPL or JASM to assist with judging knots.

Knotmasters requirements for each level. Each Scout will wear his rope in a Lark's head on his left side. Ropes will be 36-42" in length.

1. BEGINNER level- Rope issued; white 3/16" nylon no whipping, learn Lark's Head.
2. WHIP level- white 3/16" nylon with white whipping on ends. Lark's head, overhand knot, square knot, 2 half hitches, taut line hitch, clove hitch.
3. LOOP level- white 3/16" nylon rope with yellow whipping on ends. Sheet bend, timber hitch, fisherman's knot, slip knot, overhand loop, surgeon's knot.
4. LASHING level- white 3/16" nylon rope with red whipping on ends. Square, shear, and diagonal lashing, running Turk's head (for Scout neckerchief slide), sheep shank, bowline.
5. STANDING END level- white 3/16" nylon rope with blue whipping on ends. Double sheet bend, bowline on a coil (French bowline), figure 8, figure 8 follow through, double clove hitch, bloodline knot.
6. COIL level- white 3/16" nylon rope with black whipping on ends. Mooring hitch, Alpine butterfly, packer's knot, cat's paw, one-handed bowline, anchor bend.
7. BIGHT level- white 3/16" nylon rope with green whipping on ends. Eye splice, short splice, backsplice, 2 fishing hook knots, learn tangle free rope storage.
8. HITCH level- green 3/16" nylon rope with no whipping on ends. Man-harness knot, miller's knot, Hanson knot, Japanese square lashing, wall knot, diamond hitch.
9. ADVANCED KNOTMASTER level- green 3/16" nylon rope with red whipping on ends. Trucker's knot, Hunter's bend, water knot, masthead knot, single Carrick bend, make your own rope.