The cleat hitch, in four steps

1. Step 1

   Under, then over a horn

   Lead the line under the cleat, heading away from the load, and take it over one horn. Keep some tension on it.

2. Step 2

   Figure-eight

   Cross the line over the top to the other horn and round it, so the wraps make a figure-eight. Each wrap sits beside the last, not on top of it.

3. Step 3

   Again

   One more cross, the same way. Two or three figure-eight turns are usually enough.

4. Step 4

   Lock it

   Make a small underhand loop in the free end, slip it over the horn and pull the tail tight. Then give the knot one firm tug: it holds, and the line does not cross itself inside the knot.

Drawings are simplified top views: the new turn is red, earlier turns are rope-coloured, the dashed part runs under the cleat.