Knot tying is a skill that requires practice, patience and astute knowledge. Depending on the circumstance, a certain knot can be the difference between a secure boat, a taut tent, a safe climb — and the opposite. With this in mind, we recruited J. J. Jameson, Senior Instructor for the REI Outdoor School Tri-State, to walk us through making 12 different knots and when to use each. Whether you’re a climber, sailor, mountain guide or just an ordinary Joe, knowing how to properly secure or fasten a rope to an object will undoubtedly come in handy.