The Bottle Sling Knot is used to create a handle on bottles or similar objects with tapering necks so it’s easy to carry them on the go.
It’s simple, reliable, and honestly feels like a trick everyone should know.
There are so many ways to tie it, but the one below is the most popular and easiest.
Let’s learn it in detail.
Bottle Sling Knot Details
Type: Binding Knot
Other Names: Jug Sling, Jar Sling Knot, Spanish Hackamore, Moonshiner’s Knot, Bridle Knot
ABoK Reference: #1142
How to Tie a Bottle Sling Knot
- Overlap two loops so one sits on top of the other.
- Pass the lower part of the loop through the eye formed during the overlap.
- Flip both loops downward as shown.
- The Knot is complete.
- Place the center over the neck of the bottle and pull both ends to tighten.
Pro Tip: Didn’t get it right in the first try? Relax, it happens to almost everyone. The mistake usually happens in step 3.
Go back and double-check the way you’ve passed the loop through the eye.
Bottle Sling Knot Step by Step
Turn the Bottle Sling into a Carry Handle
Ok, the knot is tight around the bottle’s neck. But how do you carry it? You’ve got two options for creating the handle:
Tie a Fisherman’s Knot
This is the easiest.
Grab the working end of one side of the loop that is open and pass it through the opposite loop. Then, tie a Fisherman’s Knot to join the ends of the rope.
Now, you’ve got a closed loop you can use as a handle.
Asher’s Equalizer
Want to adjust the loop length automatically to give two even handles? This is the way.
But before you start, tie the loose ends together with the Fisherman’s Knot to form a loop. Make sure this side has a long end to make the handle.
Then:
- Pass the two long ends through the loop until you create a bight.
- Pass the loop formed by the knotted ends over the bight just formed.
- Grab the bight and pull it through the large loop. You’ll get a pair of matching handles.
Pros & Cons
- Practical and versatile
- Works on any bottle that has a neck.
- Can be loosened and reused around another bottle.
- Not suitable for cylindrical objects
- Slight learning curve.
Application and Uses
- Suspend water bottles, jugs, and other similar items while camping or hiking.
- Traditionally, it was used in ancient Greece to tighten around fractures and dislocations.
- Makeshift bridle for horses.
I’ve used this knot more times than I can remember. I have hung water bottles from a tree branch, carried big water jars, and even hung a lantern.
If you hike or camp, this knot is for you.
What do you plan to use the Bottle Sling Knot for? Do let me know in the comments below.
