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Knots to Use to Hang a Disc Swing

Disc swings provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. The versatility of this inexpensive single rope swing allows users to hang them from a sturdy tree branch, a traditional swing set, or just about anywhere that has enough overhead clearance for hanging a swing. The most important parts of hanging a disc swing are the rope and the knots used to secure the swing. There are a few simple knots you can use to safely secure the swing to the rope.

Double Overhand
- When the hole in the center of the swing and diameter of the rope are close in size, a double overhand knot provides the most secure way to fasten the swing to the rope. To tie this knot, run the rope end through the hole in the swing and make a loop. Wrap the loose end of the rope over and around the taut end, pulling the loose end through the loop you just made. Wrap the loose end around the taut end once more and pull the knot tight.
Figure-Eight
- The figure-eight knot works well for lighter swingers and can be easily untied, when needed. This knot requires that the hole in the disc and the rope diameter closely match in size. To tie this knot simply make a small loop near the end of the rope that has been passed through the hole in the swing. Wrap the end behind and around the taut end of the rope. Bring the loose end around and put it through the small loop you created. Pull the knot tight, and it will resemble a figure 8.
Timber Hitch
- When the rope diameter is much smaller than the hole in the swing, use a cross bar and a timber hitch knot. Use something sturdy enough to support the weight of the rider as the cross bar. To tie this knot, wrap the end of the rope around the cross bar. Take the loose end of the rope and pass it under the taut end continuing around and over the taut end of the rope. Wrap the loose end under first and around itself at the cross bar three times. Pull the knot tight. This knot will loosen easily when the tension is removed from the top end of the rope.
Buntline Hitch
- A buntline hitch knot is another good knot for securing a cross bar underneath a disc swing. To tie a buntline hitch, wrap the end of the rope around the cross bar and cross over the taut end of the rope. Wrap the loose end around the taut end and over itself. Then wrap the loose end behind and around the line between this wrap and the cross bar. Pass the loose end through itself beneath the first wrap and pull the knot tight. This knot will tighten on itself under a load and becomes very difficult to untie.

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