- Which knots are included and what are they used for?
- Six knots cover the most common real-world needs. The Bowline creates a fixed loop at the end of a line — the sailor's go-to rescue knot because it never jams and is easy to untie. The Square Knot (reef knot) joins two ropes of the same diameter and is widely used in first aid, sailing, and package tying. The Clove Hitch is the fastest way to attach a rope to a post or ring, standard in climbing, camping, and mooring. The Sheet Bend reliably joins ropes of different diameters and is the preferred knot when materials don't match. The Figure-Eight is a stopper knot that prevents a rope from slipping through a block or belay device — essential for rock climbing. The Half-Hitch (Macramé) is the foundation of decorative macramé knotwork, repeated in alternating directions to create the characteristic spiral or square-knot chains seen in plant hangers and wall art.
- Does rope thickness really matter when learning a knot?
- For learning purposes, beginners often find it much easier to start with a medium or thick rope — roughly 8–12 mm paracord or a doubled shoelace — because the loops and tucks are large enough to see and feel clearly. Once the muscle memory is established with thicker cord, the same hand movements transfer directly to thinner line. This tool's thickness setting adjusts the visual stroke weight so the diagram matches whatever cord you have in hand, reducing the mental translation between diagram and reality.
- What is quiz mode and how should I use it?
- Quiz mode shows you the diagram up to a certain step, then asks you to identify the correct next action from four multiple-choice options (one correct, three plausible distractors). If you pick correctly, you unlock the next stage. This active-recall format is significantly more effective for retention than passively tapping through — educational research consistently shows that testing yourself, even immediately after learning, improves long-term memory. Use tutorial mode to learn a knot end-to-end first, then switch to quiz mode to lock it in.
- How do I print or save the PDF cheat-sheet?
- Tap "Download PDF Cheat-Sheet" on the completion screen. The PDF is generated entirely in your browser using the pdf-lib library — no data is sent to any server. The file downloads automatically. Each cheat-sheet page lists the knot name, use-case note, and a text summary of every step, formatted for A4 / letter printing. You can also open it on a phone for field reference.