One variety consists of an overhand knot tied around a post, followed by a half-hitch.

This knot is less often referred to as a clove hitch over itself, double half-hitch, or full-hitch.

The difference between two half hitches and the clove hitch is that the former, after a single turn around a spar, is made fast around its own standing part, while the latter is tied directly around the spar.The following three-step process for tying the two half-hitches is also explained in the image gallery below.

To release the knot, pry apart the two hitches with a bending motion.

To help avoid this problem, tie a slipped variation: in the second half-hitch, pass through a bight, as when tying your shoe, rather than the entire free end.