I realised that I've been enjoying tying up my subs for nearly 20 years! And that made me feel old. But I also realised that I keep finding new and interesting knots to use, and cool ideas to try out. At the moment I'm working on getting the loops of the bowline on a bight to be even when I dress them (hoping it may have suspension applications, although I may replace it with double splay loop on a bight) and also working on the monkeys fist because I'm never happy with the end result.

So I thought I should cast a net and see what knots and ties people love, and what else I might be able to learn. What other gems might be hiding in plain sight.

I suppose I should answer my own question about indispensable knots though: I'd say the taut line hitch and maybe french bowline.