Hi Nick, and nearly two years on from your comment, ihave to agree. Mac's is my go-to video for the Alpine Butterfly. And done for a good-hearted purpose besides
Here is a further improvement for your friend's numb fingers. You show three steps (but only two are needed): A. Wrap the loops left to right, giving this order: 1-2-3. B. Grab 2 and bring it under 3, giving this order: 1-3-2. C Take 2 over and under 1-3. Step B easily eliminated by wrapping the loops in a different order: A. Wrap the first two loops left to right: 1-2, and then wrap 3 between them, giving 1-3-2 right at the start. (This is just as easy as step A above.) -B. Grab 2 and bring it under 3, giving this order: 1-3-2.- (It is already in this order! Eliminate this step.) C Take 2 over and under 1-3. It is really obvious when you think about it. Because 2 is laid down before 3, if you wrap 3 between 1 and 2 it necessarily means 2 is already under 3 *and* in the rightmost position. Which was the whole point of step B. So step B is eliminated by a simple change in where to place the loops as you wrap them, and wrapping 3 between 1-2 is *way* easier and quicker for numb fingers than having to perform step B.
Hahaha! I love the fact that I am fifty plus years old, learned this knot for an ROTC competition when I was in college, and have never even considered just looping the coils in a different order. The ironic thing for me is that I learned to tie this knot as part of setting up a rope bridge across an obstacle as a TIMED team event and over the years I have thought of that every time I tie the “absolutely speediest” version of the alpine butterfly. Funny how the human brain works…. Going to review how I tie a timber hitch, trucker’s hitch, bowline and others with new eyes. Thanks
The Alpine Butterfly is similar to an inline Figure-8, but easier to untie. When you're climbing on a glacier, it's a quick way to create a loop in the safety line to clip into. I use it frequently as part of the Trucker's Hitch (TH) --which forms a block and tackle configuration with 3 times more tension. The TH is useful for securing loads from sliding around in the back of the pickup or strapping down a canoe to a roof rack --so tight it snaps metal racks.
Thank you SO much! I've been trying to get my head around this one for my SES training, but we were shown the 'twisty' way. Can't wait to show the guys! This is one of our 'must- know' knots.
My dad taught me how to tie a bowline and a half hitch. He tried to teach me that one, I guess I wasn't interested but I'm older now . I've been looking in the trucker's Hitch and all . that and when I saw this video that's exactly how he tied it I remember all he did was wrapped around his hand and that was it . I watched the other videos on the butterfly this is by far the best one for me .the easiest one the quickest one.
Nick, outstanding, for me! Thanks to you, not only can I tie this knot in a quarter the time I used to. I also now understand he knot and how it works. Thanks so much for taking the time to put up your take on it!
I'm a newbie to climbing, but not to knots. I can easily tie 20 life-savers and useful bends, hitches, etc. Never came across this method. This was BRILLIANT! In a panic (or, for that matter, any) situation, it's perfect. Using your method, I can tie this knot with my eyes closed (literally). In fact, I'd go so far as to say that everyone be able to tie it with closed eyes. Thank you!
Messed half the night with Butterfly videos. Watched this video and the first time using the hand wrap method and it was perfect. Works well with 2 finger wrap for smaller cord to keep the loop smaller. Thanks.
Wow! Thank you. That was great. I just watched 4 or 5 videos about tying knots, including your friend with the cold hands. I think they all had the Alpine Butterfly knot, which I'd never seen before, and I liked it but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I watched your video and it was plain as day,... and you demonstrated three times. I can for sure tie one now. Thanks again, a million times.
THANK YOU SO MUCH ! I have seen arborist tie this knot several times and could not follow what was happening, so fast and easy, compared to other methods, thanks again for sharing.
Man, I've been looking for a knot like this for decades. Now I have it. No more spending 45 minutes to untie the other knot. Few people, even farmers know of the alpine butterfly. Climbers do, tho. I had a friend in college who was a climber, but I never saw her tie this knot. Maybe it was her secret to attach a carabineer to. Had I seen her tie it, I could have kissed her. 😃😁💖
Thank you so much. Other videos I've been sitting here 30 minutes getting frustrated and yours was the "one more time ONLY and then I'm done". The very first time I tried with your easy to see and simple method and I got it!!!!!!🤩🤩🤩🤩 Thank you so very much!!!!
Thank you, this was the sixth video I've watched and was the only one that helped me learn how to tie this knot again after not tying one for over ten years. Nice job and great video. This is also the way I was taught years ago.
it's a good knot for a loop in a trucker's hitch (creating mechanical advantage) or, possibly, for a series of loops on a line you're hanging items from. Also, it's my understanding you can use it to take a section out of your line, say if it were frayed or damaged, but you don't want that damage to undermine the strength of the rope.
OK, this was really cool. After messing with other methods and frozen fingers, I have to say that this is really one of the easiest versions. The hardest part is digging that middle wrap out with gloves, but two steps later and I'm clipped in. NICE
by far the best and easiest way to tie the essential alpine butterfly .great vid !! working in theatre , this knot is used a lot for putting tension on lines from the grid ( spot lines and grid brails !) a must know for anyone wanting to start a carreer as a tech in theatre ! i shall refer the newbies to this great vid every time i am asked about this knot . Thanks
I was taught this when I did a working at height course a few years back. Saw a different way of tying it recently, I recognised the knot and remembered this method but I'd never seen the other way before.
This is the best way to tie the Alpine Butterfly Knot in almost all cases. My personal preference is when forming the third loop, I immediately overlay that third strand across the first two strands. This positions what is shown here as the middle strand on the outside edge making it even easier to grab and complete the knot.
Perfecto! I appreciate that the whole video was short and to the point, yet the instructions were appropriately slow enough to follow. An excellent production that others should study for their videos. Thanks.
You made it easy. I can't do knots [and will forget this by tomorrow, lol] but was able to make a series of these off one view of 20 seconds of your vid. Thanks!
Thank you so much! I need to learn this for our State Emergency Service here in Aus & was struggling with the book instructions, this is so much easier!
Thank you very much. I use the double twist method well I used to until I saw this video lol. Anyway with the double twist the rope does funny things sometimes And I often end up having to retie the alpine several times until it goes right. This is much simpler
There's also a video somewhere of this method but laying the wraps over the hand in an "/ I \" format such that it looks like "XI" on your hand. It places the 'loop' wrap at the end, ready for tucking.
The best and easiest way I have scene on You tube tonight trying to do this knot. Now I can do it after watching your video in just under a minute....Thank you..
Perfect. Been struggling last night with the alpine butterfly. So was doing the farmhand instead. I just saw ur vid. Thanks heaps, very clear and perfect method! Cheers from Australia just subbed.nice work 🙂👍👍👍
I'd like to say that I've read a book about this knot, i watched a different video on how to tie this knot and I always messed it up. After watching this video I got it done my first try. Thanks
Wow wow wow, I did (k)not know this technique! I've been tying it with the two-twist method literally all my life after being taught in scouts when I was about 7-8, love the knot and use it all the time, can't believe I didn't know this.
when I was a firefighter, we used this for tech rescues and moving tools up and down the ladder. This method works really well when you're wearing thicker gloves.
To make this even easier, when making the first three wraps, you can put the last one in between the first two, and then the part you need to grab&wrap is right there at the end, instead of having to reach under one wrap to grab the middle wrap.
Even easier/faster: Make your first loop, make your second loop on the outside of your hand and have your third loop in the middle. Now simply grab your last loop (instead of the middle) and complete the last step in the video.
I'm sure you're right, but your comment is impossible to visualise and follow without a video or diagrams. Where is your first loop? What do *you* mean by the outside of your hand, the open face or the back? Middle of what: palm, first finger, first, second or third wind? Which one was the last one, the one in the middle (the last one made, ending between the others, or the second one (i.e. first, last, middle, reading left to right, made *if* I get you right), the one the second end (which might be the right or the left, depending on *my* dominant hand) or the one on the other end (the last one in the other direction). Believe me, not everyone knows where Momma Schultz's Malt Shop is, cos (surprise!) not all of us were born and raised in Middleville, Drone County. Hey, fancy that! (HUGE secret, not all of us are even Murrkan!) I love Nick's method, but I'd drop it like a red hot turd if you had an even better way. Sadly, I can't tell.
You're right Austin, that's a better method. The loop is easier to manage with cold hands, and the knot more consistently dresses well when you pull the loop through from that position. Thanks.
Philip Wagner You posted a while back, but in case you never got it cleared-up, all Austin is doing is changing the placement of the wraps around your hand. You're just switching the placement of the 2nd and 3rd wrap, from what is shown in the video. Wrap 1 goes nearest your wrist, just like in the video. Wrap 2 goes closest to your fingertips. And wrap 3 will be in the middle of those, in your palm. Then you pull your loop, just like in the video, but you do it by grabbing the wrap nearest your fingertips (wrap 2). (Placing the wrap which will actually form the loop nearest your fingertips makes this a better version because it's easier to tie when hands are cold, and dresses more consistently without twisting when you pull the loop.) I usually take the loop in my teeth and pull on the ends to dress the knot.
*Sweet! Nice and Easy! The other way, (IDK how do it yet), seems harder! Thanks! I’m looking for knots that won’t loosen and are safe to use on animals; my Service/Emotional Support Cats! The ONLY ONE that I know of is The Bowline (I usually tie a half hitch on the end, to keep it from loosening); but, then I found The Water Bowline, which looks much more secure than The Bowline!* 😀
![The 10 BEST Knots in Life [For VISUAL Learners]](/img/1.gif)
Hi Nick, nearly ten years on and your video is still the easiest and fastest way to do an Alpine Butterfly Knot. Thanks for your teaching.
1:31
Hi Nick, and nearly two years on from your comment, ihave to agree. Mac's is my go-to video for the Alpine Butterfly. And done for a good-hearted purpose besides
Perfect video!
1) shot in 1st-person perspective
2) frame-filling close-up makes line easy to see
3) sloooow
4) multiple repeats
Just perfect.
Short and perfect, nobody is gonna listen to a guy 5 minutes rambling about a knot then not properly showing it. This video is really perfect.
Here is a further improvement for your friend's numb fingers. You show three steps (but only two are needed):
A. Wrap the loops left to right, giving this order: 1-2-3.
B. Grab 2 and bring it under 3, giving this order: 1-3-2.
C Take 2 over and under 1-3.
Step B easily eliminated by wrapping the loops in a different order:
A. Wrap the first two loops left to right: 1-2, and then wrap 3 between them, giving 1-3-2 right at the start. (This is just as easy as step A above.)
-B. Grab 2 and bring it under 3, giving this order: 1-3-2.- (It is already in this order! Eliminate this step.)
C Take 2 over and under 1-3.
It is really obvious when you think about it. Because 2 is laid down before 3, if you wrap 3 between 1 and 2 it necessarily means 2 is already under 3 *and* in the rightmost position. Which was the whole point of step B. So step B is eliminated by a simple change in where to place the loops as you wrap them, and wrapping 3 between 1-2 is *way* easier and quicker for numb fingers than having to perform step B.
Hahaha! I love the fact that I am fifty plus years old, learned this knot for an ROTC competition when I was in college, and have never even considered just looping the coils in a different order. The ironic thing for me is that I learned to tie this knot as part of setting up a rope bridge across an obstacle as a TIMED team event and over the years I have thought of that every time I tie the “absolutely speediest” version of the alpine butterfly. Funny how the human brain works…. Going to review how I tie a timber hitch, trucker’s hitch, bowline and others with new eyes. Thanks
I think about this video every time I see someone try to show how to tie this some other awkward way. Thank you for sharing!
Not all heroes wear capes...some just show you how to tie an Alpine knot in the easiest way ever.
The Alpine Butterfly is similar to an inline Figure-8, but easier to untie. When you're climbing on a glacier, it's a quick way to create a loop in the safety line to clip into. I use it frequently as part of the Trucker's Hitch (TH) --which forms a block and tackle configuration with 3 times more tension. The TH is useful for securing loads from sliding around in the back of the pickup or strapping down a canoe to a roof rack --so tight it snaps metal racks.
Only just heard of this knot, love the way you tie it, so much easier than other versions I've seen. Thanks a lot
Easiest way to tie this knot, by far. Thank you from a firefighter about to take a technical rescue course this weekend.
santa6688 Im literally doing the same this weekend
I have seen this knot done several different ways and this one is by far the best way to do it! Thank you for this post.
Excellent!
Hands down the best video on tying this knot, thank you!
Thank you so much, Nick, for teaching me the easy method of tying the Alpine Butterfly Knot!
Good luck and good mood!
Warm greetings from Ukraine! 👍🇺🇦
Thank you SO much! I've been trying to get my head around this one for my SES training, but we were shown the 'twisty' way. Can't wait to show the guys! This is one of our 'must- know' knots.
I hate the twisty way
hello fellow SES member
My dad taught me how to tie a bowline and a half hitch.
He tried to teach me that one, I guess I wasn't interested
but I'm older now . I've been looking in the trucker's Hitch and all .
that and when I saw this video that's exactly how he tied it I remember all he did was wrapped around his hand and that was it .
I watched the other videos on the butterfly this is by far the best one for me .the easiest one the quickest one.
You present it so incredibly well that I no longer struggle with all those old formulas and numb fingers. Thanks a bunch!
Have done the twist method for decades, this loop over the hand is fantastic. Thank you.
Nick, outstanding, for me! Thanks to you, not only can I tie this knot in a quarter the time I used to. I also now understand he knot and how it works. Thanks so much for taking the time to put up your take on it!
I've made many rifle sling attachments this way. Perfect knot for the application.
I love it when it is explained this simple, displayed so well. Fantastic!!! All my gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Great instructional video! The way you simplified it and made it so easy to follow along made understanding the process fun. Great technique teacher!
I'm a newbie to climbing, but not to knots. I can easily tie 20 life-savers and useful bends, hitches, etc. Never came across this method. This was BRILLIANT! In a panic (or, for that matter, any) situation, it's perfect.
Using your method, I can tie this knot with my eyes closed (literally). In fact, I'd go so far as to say that everyone be able to tie it with closed eyes.
Thank you!
Messed half the night with Butterfly videos. Watched this video and the first time using the hand wrap method and it was perfect. Works well with 2 finger wrap for smaller cord to keep the loop smaller. Thanks.
Excellent additional tip! thanks
Wow! Thank you. That was great.
I just watched 4 or 5 videos about tying knots, including your friend with the cold hands. I think they all had the Alpine Butterfly knot, which I'd never seen before, and I liked it but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I watched your video and it was plain as day,... and you demonstrated three times. I can for sure tie one now. Thanks again, a million times.
Thanks for putting this out there. I like easy to remember methods!
I think that's a great technique for tying the butterfly knot,
Thank you ! 👍😊
Struggling with the twist method as my lines always seem to like to running next to eachother- this method is my adopted favourite, thanks so much!
I know you created this 7 years ago, but damn, you just blew my mind! Thank you!
I came to this video to do a refresher on the 2nd method you showed. Now I'm refreshed on the second method and learned the first. Thanks so much. :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH ! I have seen arborist tie this knot several times and could not follow what was happening, so fast and easy, compared to other methods, thanks again for sharing.
Man, I've been looking for a knot like this for decades. Now I have it. No more spending 45 minutes to untie the other knot. Few people, even farmers know of the alpine butterfly. Climbers do, tho. I had a friend in college who was a climber, but I never saw her tie this knot. Maybe it was her secret to attach a carabineer to. Had I seen her tie it, I could have kissed her. 😃😁💖
Thank you so much. Other videos I've been sitting here 30 minutes getting frustrated and yours was the "one more time ONLY and then I'm done". The very first time I tried with your easy to see and simple method and I got it!!!!!!🤩🤩🤩🤩 Thank you so very much!!!!
That was the easiest method yet. Thank you.
I have found that this method is far easier than any other method. Thank you.
Thank you, this was the sixth video I've watched and was the only one that helped me learn how to tie this knot again after not tying one for over ten years. Nice job and great video. This is also the way I was taught years ago.
best demo yet. thank you
it's a good knot for a loop in a trucker's hitch (creating mechanical advantage) or, possibly, for a series of loops on a line you're hanging items from. Also, it's my understanding you can use it to take a section out of your line, say if it were frayed or damaged, but you don't want that damage to undermine the strength of the rope.
Best illustration of this knot on RUclips. Thank you 😊
OK, this was really cool. After messing with other methods and frozen fingers, I have to say that this is really one of the easiest versions. The hardest part is digging that middle wrap out with gloves, but two steps later and I'm clipped in. NICE
Great Illustration! Easy to see with the orange cord, and perfect lighting.
EXCELLENT VIDEO: especially the PACE...& repetition. THANK YOU. May try incorporating into fly fishing nymphs !!!
The easiest way to tie an alpine butterfly knot.. even under stress it can be done.. great instructional video . Tnx a mil..
by far the best and easiest way to tie the essential alpine butterfly .great vid !! working in theatre , this knot is used a lot for putting tension on lines from the grid ( spot lines and grid brails !) a must know for anyone wanting to start a carreer as a tech in theatre ! i shall refer the newbies to this great vid every time i am asked about this knot . Thanks
I was taught this when I did a working at height course a few years back. Saw a different way of tying it recently, I recognised the knot and remembered this method but I'd never seen the other way before.
Best instructions of the butterfly knot by far! Thanks.
That's the technique I know and use for securing my yacht's furling headsail once the sheets have been removed, great knot for a purchase pulley.
Easily the best method of tying this knot.
Great explanation
The easiest way to tie the alpine butterfly, and well explained. Thumbs up.
Fantastic, nice and easy. Much better method than what may climbing techniques book taught me, and easy to remember.
Now doing this knot makes more sense! Lol I’ve been trying the other way but couldn’t find a vid that showed it slow enough to follow. Thank you!!
thank you. this was the most simple method and perfectly straight forward video .
This is the best way to tie the Alpine Butterfly Knot in almost all cases. My personal preference is when forming the third loop, I immediately overlay that third strand across the first two strands. This positions what is shown here as the middle strand on the outside edge making it even easier to grab and complete the knot.
Yes, I like your method too. See my slight variation in another comment if interested. (well, not MY invention, but one I use)
Perfecto!
I appreciate that the whole video was short and to the point, yet the instructions were appropriately slow enough to follow.
An excellent production that others should study for their videos.
Thanks.
It maybe called an Alpine knot, but it's a very useful knot for mariners, and others as well. Thanks for making it so easy to do.
Thanks Nick helped me build my tree house like a true alpine legend
You made it easy. I can't do knots [and will forget this by tomorrow, lol] but was able to make a series of these off one view of 20 seconds of your vid. Thanks!
Ahhhh simplicity. The ultimate form of sophistication. Cracking video mate.
Seems like it's easier to control the size of the loop with the twist method. Thanks for showing it.
Thank you so much! I need to learn this for our State Emergency Service here in Aus & was struggling with the book instructions, this is so much easier!
Thank you very much. I use the double twist method well I used to until I saw this video lol. Anyway with the double twist the rope does funny things sometimes And I often end up having to retie the alpine several times until it goes right. This is much simpler
There's also a video somewhere of this method but laying the wraps over the hand in an "/ I \" format such that it looks like "XI" on your hand. It places the 'loop' wrap at the end, ready for tucking.
Best 'How to' video for this knot out there :)
Thanks for sharing.
ATB
Mac
The best and easiest way I have scene on You tube tonight trying to do this knot. Now I can do it after watching your video in just under a minute....Thank you..
Perfect. Been struggling last night with the alpine butterfly. So was doing the farmhand instead. I just saw ur vid. Thanks heaps, very clear and perfect method! Cheers from Australia just subbed.nice work 🙂👍👍👍
I'd like to say that I've read a book about this knot, i watched a different video on how to tie this knot and I always messed it up. After watching this video I got it done my first try. Thanks
Wow wow wow, I did (k)not know this technique! I've been tying it with the two-twist method literally all my life after being taught in scouts when I was about 7-8, love the knot and use it all the time, can't believe I didn't know this.
Thanks that is the best instructional video I have seen of the alpine butterfly knot .
when I was a firefighter, we used this for tech rescues and moving tools up and down the ladder. This method works really well when you're wearing thicker gloves.
Holy smokes! Brilliant. Well conceived and brilliantly explained.
Just gotta make sure not to confuse with farmer's knot and panic knot . But this is indeed pure genius .
Thanks Nick. Your vid keeps on teaching and teaching.
this is the most simple way to do it and, therefore, the most easy to remember
This method is simpler yet...
ruclips.net/video/DYGdvL9-P30/видео.html
Cheers
MAny approaches many perspectives, Bravo on a really nice demonstration
thank you, a friend showed me this years ago, I kept the knot but couldn't work out how to do it, now I know
Awesome way to tye the butterfly knot, easiest way I've seen yet! In fact the other instructionals left me with something other than the proper knot.
To make this even easier, when making the first three wraps, you can put the last one in between the first two, and then the part you need to grab&wrap is right there at the end, instead of having to reach under one wrap to grab the middle wrap.
Great video! Makes that knot easy to remember , for me anyway.. thank you for sharing!!
Thanks a lot!!! Nice and easy way to learn this knot.
I just did it in about 2.5 seconds. The figure 8 method takes 5. I'll use this method now, thank you .
Love videos that are to the point. Thank you, sir. Fantastic!
This is such a superior method!! Easier to learn by far
WOW, that’s so much easier! Thank you for posting.
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome technique.
I have always used the twist method. I like this way for more! Thanks!
LOVE THAT KNOT 🤩!!! So simple but effective 👍!!!
I am terrible with knots, but, this one is really very simple. Thanks for the video
This worked for me the best. Fast simple and easy to remember.
Awesome! This technique works for a butterfly bend too!
Wow, I've always used the twist and tuck method. I will definitely give this a go. Thanks
Thank You! I have tried several methods on RUclips and this by far makes the most sense. Thanks again
Awesome stuff, my favourite way !!!
Nice easy straightforward technique. Keep it simple. 👍
Even easier/faster: Make your first loop, make your second loop on the outside of your hand and have your third loop in the middle. Now simply grab your last loop (instead of the middle) and complete the last step in the video.
I'm sure you're right, but your comment is impossible to visualise and follow without a video or diagrams.
Where is your first loop? What do *you* mean by the outside of your hand, the open face or the back? Middle of what: palm, first finger, first, second or third wind? Which one was the last one, the one in the middle (the last one made, ending between the others, or the second one (i.e. first, last, middle, reading left to right, made *if* I get you right), the one the second end (which might be the right or the left, depending on *my* dominant hand) or the one on the other end (the last one in the other direction). Believe me, not everyone knows where Momma Schultz's Malt Shop is, cos (surprise!) not all of us were born and raised in Middleville, Drone County. Hey, fancy that! (HUGE secret, not all of us are even Murrkan!)
I love Nick's method, but I'd drop it like a red hot turd if you had an even better way. Sadly, I can't tell.
You're right Austin, that's a better method. The loop is easier to manage with cold hands, and the knot more consistently dresses well when you pull the loop through from that position. Thanks.
Philip Wagner
You posted a while back, but in case you never got it cleared-up, all Austin is doing is changing the placement of the wraps around your hand. You're just switching the placement of the 2nd and 3rd wrap, from what is shown in the video. Wrap 1 goes nearest your wrist, just like in the video. Wrap 2 goes closest to your fingertips. And wrap 3 will be in the middle of those, in your palm. Then you pull your loop, just like in the video, but you do it by grabbing the wrap nearest your fingertips (wrap 2). (Placing the wrap which will actually form the loop nearest your fingertips makes this a better version because it's easier to tie when hands are cold, and dresses more consistently without twisting when you pull the loop.) I usually take the loop in my teeth and pull on the ends to dress the knot.
2.5 years down the line, I've finally seen this. Thank you for the clarification!
Great video, I reference this when I have to tie one or teach people how to tie one.
Pull it! Push it! Lay it! Drop it! Bop it! Twist it! Turn it!
Super knot, done super easy! Thanks for posting
Best way to teach this knot👏🏿
so easy to learn. Only needed to watch it once. Thanks
Thanks for sharing this. Clear and simple method!
Thank you! I've been trying (via a different video) for over an hour...sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. Did it this way first time!
This is a very helpful video. The way it is explain makes it very simple to learn this technique. Thanks for such helpful video!
This helped me too. Thank you Nick!
*Sweet! Nice and Easy! The other way, (IDK how do it yet), seems harder! Thanks! I’m looking for knots that won’t loosen and are safe to use on animals; my Service/Emotional Support Cats! The ONLY ONE that I know of is The Bowline (I usually tie a half hitch on the end, to keep it from loosening); but, then I found The Water Bowline, which looks much more secure than The Bowline!* 😀