A piece of rope or string a couple feet long.

If using thick rope, longer is better. If using string, shoelace length will do.

This knot is considered the "King of Knots," so pay close attention.

Start with a small loop.

Now pass the end under the loop and over the other side.

We want to create a fixed "eye" at the end of the rope, so leave enough rope on the end to create the desired size of your "eye."

Cross the end of your rope under the standing end.

Make sure you have at least six inches left in your hand. We'll use this to tighten our knot.

Pass the end of your rope in and under the original loop, so it lays insides our "eye."

You're almost done.

Hold the end of your rope and part of the "eye" together with one hand, and hold the other end of the rope with the other. 

Tighten up the rope to make it secure, and you're done! Ready to set sail, or at least secure something in place.

This knot has been around hundreds of years, so there are a lot of variants of it, even one you can tie with one hand. 

Take some time to look up other variations, and try them out.

Among other uses, this knot is great for hanging a food bag to keep out of reach of animals.

To do so, tie a bowline knot on a long rope, and throw the rope over a branch high above you at least 200 feet from camp.

Attach your food bag to the knot (carabiners work great), and pull the bag up, so it's at least 12 feet up and 6 feet from the tree. 

Now secure the other end to the tree, and sleep easy knowing you saved the food.