Yes, we all know swings are entertaining. And we all know they are easy to make and establish. You just need a rope, tree (or a high point to attach it), and a seat. But, even though it’s easy to create a perfect swing for you, when it comes to their safety there is a lot going on. This, at first sight, a simple product can become very dangerous if it isn’t tied to the tree the right way.
So, in this article, we’ll talk more about how to tie a knot for a swing. It might seem like a simple thing but believe us, you want to do this the right way if you want to avoid possible disasters, such as the swing untying when you start swinging.
To do that, we’ll cover a few types of knots which are commonly used in the swing lovers world. All of them are easy to tie and offer high security for the one who is using the swing. Check our other article on how to hang a baby swing from a tree.
1. Bowline Knot
The “bowline” knot received its name because it was commonly used by sailors when they wanted to affix the sail to the bow. It is often referred to as “the king of knots” as it’s fairly easy to tie and it’s almost impossible to untie it by accident – meaning it stays secure and offers a hard grip. Follow these simple steps if you want to create a perfect bowline knot:
- The initial loop needs to be near the rope
- Pass the longer end of the rope through the loop
- The end needs to go around the rope from left to right
- Pass the end to the new loop and then tighten it
It might be a bit hard to understand what to do just by reading these steps but if you look into some Youtube videos about this knot, you’ll see why it’s easy to tie it.
2. Two Half Hitch
This type of knot is the one you should be looking for in 90% of cases if you want to tie a swing to the tree. It’s best used with a secure object like a tree, a tree branch, a pole, or something similar. Steps to make it happen:
- Place a loop around the anchor object and wrap the shorter end of the rope over and under the longer part of the rope
- Pass the end of the rope through the loop and tighten it
- Repeat the loop to complete the second half of the hitch
- Tighten hard to secure it
As with other knots on the list, watch some Youtube videos in order to get an insight into how to tie this knot. It’s always better to have a visual representation of something you want to learn.
3. Taut Line Hitch
This is a good knot to use if you want to adjust the length of the rope if you aren’t satisfied with it. It can also slide a bit from one place to another which enables flexibility and a bit more working space. The steps to tie it:
- Loop around anchor object then wrap the short part of the rope over and under the longer part of the rope
- Put the end of thee rope through the loop and strengthen it
- Bring the end of the rope again to the front of the loop to create the other half of hitch
- Strengthen it and adjust the length of the rope if needed
4. Square Knot
Although you might not use this knot often, it’s important to know it since you might need it someday. It’s easy to tie a knot, and for it, you’ll need to have 2 ropes. It’s useful when you need to gather a bunch of things together, for example, firewood. You can loosen the knot by pulling the ends together. Steps to tie it:
- Tie one knot by holding the two ropes parallel to the ground and crossing the right side over the left one
- Do the same thing for the other knot just the other way around, from left to right
Conclusion
When it comes to swings, you really need to pick a good knot to hold it into place. Safety comes first and you don’t want your swing to wobble around and move when the person in it starts swinging. If you have a baby maybe one knot could go over the other ones. The weight that will be in the swing won’t be really big and therefore, more loose knots could work as well. If you want to learn more about how to hang a swing specifically for the babies, check it out in another article. But, if we could pick one knot that would work the best for any occasion that’s definitely the half hitch knot. It feels like it’s made just for swings.
Matan Feldman, Dad & Swing Expert
My Name is Matan Feldman and I am a dad of a toddler and an infant based out of Atlanta. I manage this website, Safe Baby Fun (formerly known as Baby Swing Hubs), and mostly blog here about baby activity gear including swings, walkers, bouncers, and jumpers, among others. From what I have learned being a parent for over 7 years now, I am very excited to share good tips with other parents especially if it can improve the safety of kids. I work with a baby products testing and review company and over the past 2 years, I have gained deep insight into baby products and am happy to recommend them here. When I am not wasting time learning one or two tricks at home with my two kids, I spend a lot of time blogging on this site or on other sites to assist parents looking for first-hand insight or feedback on different baby products – especially from a dad’s perspective. If you have any questions, you can reach me using my email, matan@safebabyfun.com.