I've tried on and off to learn some knots. Bought some books, practiced, then lost most of it when I'd stop practicing. As a programmer, there's just not a lot of call to use what I've learned, so out it goes...

On one side, there are knot lovers who know a bajillion different knots and when to use 'em. On the other side are people who know two... Shoelace knot and granny knot. There has to be a way to transition from one to the other without learning all of it at once. From my own limited experience, I'd say something like:

• Tie a line to a pole? Double half hitch.
• Make a loop that won't close? Bowline.
• Tie tent to peg? Taut line hitch.
• Tie two ropes together? Figure eight.
• Quick way to "whip" rope or string? Blood knot.
• Tie a string on a package? Square knot (learn to tell the difference from a granny knot.)

It can't be all or nothing, or you'll have people using granny knots for everything and wondering why the tarp won't stay up.