Tying a Wild Rag Knot Buckaroo-Style

One of the most common referrals to this website concerns tying wild rag knots. I have discussed this process in posts like these, but since the topic is so popular, I decided it was time for a how-to. So, in eight steps, here is your buckaroo knot tutorial. (It's actually only four steps, but I've included some intermediate stuff for clarity.)

I've used a yellow/navy combination to make it clear which side is which. We will make two loops from these sides -- the yellow loop will be the small loop, and the navy loop will be the large loop. Also, these are left-handed steps, so if you're a righty, you might want to mirror these.

Step 1: Grasp both sides with your thumbs, leaving your fingers free to do the tying.



Step 2: Cross over your right hand and make a fairly tight loop around your left index finger. This is the "small loop".



Step 3: Grasp the loose side of the rag with your right hand and pull it in front of the same finger.



Step 4: Pull that side under and behind the finger, over the top of the other side, forming the "large loop".



Step 5: Pull the small loop through the large loop, keeping both ends tight with the thumbs.



Step 6: Push the end in your right hand through the small loop.



Step 7: Continue pulling it through the loop.



Step 8: Tighten. Try to get your ends straighter than mine.



It might take some practice, but once you get it, you'll not soon forget. Don't forget -- silk knots best. These two rags are pure silk pieces from Jingle Bobs, and they get a lot of use!