What kind of knot would you use to attach a rope to a pole or rung of a ladder?

• A. Slip knot
• B. Clove hitch
• C. Bowline
• D. Figure eight

Answer: (B)

The idea here is to secure a rope to a fixed vertical object like a pole or a ladder rung with a knot that is quick to tie and easy to adjust while under tension. The clove hitch fits that need perfectly. It works by wrapping the rope around the object with two turns and bringing the free end under the last turn, forming a simple hitch that tightens as the rope is pulled along its length. This makes it a reliable, adjustable anchor for poles, posts, or ladder rungs, especially when you need to reposition or untie it later once the load is off. It’s quick to tie and, with proper tension, holds well against movement along the rope.

Slip knots are designed to create adjustable loops that can slip under load, so they’re not ideal for anchoring to a pole where you want a stable attachment. Bowlines create a fixed loop at the rope end but aren’t a hitch around the object itself, making them less suited for securing to a pole or rung. Figure eight knots serve as stopper or loop knots and don’t provide the same simple, gripping hitch around a cylindrical object as the clove hitch does.