The bow most people tie their shoelaces with is essentially a square knot. If you think about how often you have to re-tie your shoes, then you understand why this knot should never be used to hold a person’s weight.

6. Sheet Bend

Also known as a weaver’s knot, weaver’s hitch, or becket bend, the sheet bend knot goes by many names. But it is universally regarded as one of the simplest and most practical knots for bending two lines together. It’s also used to weave fishing nets, which is where it gets a couple of its more common nicknames. 

One of the sheet bend’s greatest advantages is that it can be used to join two lines of completely different thicknesses and rigidity. If, for example, you need to securely connect the end of a rope to the end of a paracord, the sheet bend can do so quite securely (though a double sheet bend is generally recommended when the two lines are vastly different). 

The sheet bend is an important knot for climbers, and it is widely taught in scouting. When tested against other bending knots such as the butterfly bend, the sheet bend is generally considered to be less secure. That said, it is more than sufficient for most common everyday uses, and its relative simplicity makes it one of the first bends one should learn. 

7. Clitch Knot

The clinch knot is one of the most important knots for fishermen. In fact, this knot is so synonymous with this particular application that it is often referred to as a fisherman’s knot. 

Every angler needs a good, solid knot to connect their fishing line to a hook or lure, and the clinch knot gets the call more often than any other knot. It’s simple to tie and is effective with either monofilament or braided line. The knot actually tightens and gets stronger when weight is applied to it, which will come as a relief when a big fish is pulling hard on your line.