There’s an old saying: “If you don’t know a knot, tie a lot.” It’s funny advice, really. Outdoor sports enthusiasts should know lots of knots, but we should know how to tie them correctly every time.

A knowledge and mastery of tying knots is essential for anyone who spends time in the outdoors. And, sure, when faced with certain tasks that require knot-tying, you might be able to get away with ...