Knot, Clove Hitch

The clove hitch secures a line to a spar, rail, or post with two half-hitches that bind on themselves. It is fast to tie and adjust but works loose under a varying or rotating load and can jam under heavy strain, so it is usually backed with a half-hitch or used for fenders and light lashings rather than critical loads. It is the starting and finishing hitch for many lashings.