Bowline

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The bowline knot creates a loop at the end of a rope. It's easy to make, very secure and also easy to undo (when not under load). According to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, the proper pronunciation is BOE-lunn (BOE rhymes with TOE).

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The nursery-rhyme version of the instructions is: The rabbit comes out of its hole, goes around the tree, and back down the hole again.

Which means:

1. Take a length of rope that's attached at one end.
   
2. Curl the rope over itself to make a crossing turn). For the sake of this explanation, have the crossing turn extending out the right side of the rope. That's your rabbit hole.
   
3. Take the working end of rope and bring it through the rabbit hole, from behind.
   
4. Pass the working end behind and around the standing part (that's the rabbit going around the tree).
   
5. Bring the working end through the rabbit hole again.
   
6. Tighten the knot by pulling on the standing part.
   

That should leave you with a bowline.

There is also a quick tying method that has the added advantage of being accomplished almost one-handedly. See video.