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The “Granny Knot”

fieggen.com

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Re: The “Granny Knot”

#131

Post by samatman »

dbcurtis wrote: post #120
samatman wrote: post #112

Random terminology question: While I was aware of the term "Reef knot", that knot is commonly, almost exclusively, called a "Square knot" in my (midwestern American) dialect of English. Is this a British thing?

No. "reef knot" is a sailor's term. "square knot" is actually an overhand knot tied in the end of a line. "reef knot" (properly a "bend"), is the knot used to reef sails. The common shoe-lace bow is a "double bow reef knot" or "double slippery reef knot". Reef, bowline, and figure-eight are the three knots you must be able to tie behind your back to pass a basic sailing class.

Hmm, ok, I'll take your word for this as sailing terminology. I learned my knots in the Boy Scouts, and can knock those three off blindfolded, if not necessarily behind my back!

I will reiterate though, that the reef knot is called a square knot where I come from. Misnomer? I guess, that's what everyone calls it, an overhand stop knot is an overhand or just a "knot" actually.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#132

Post by mikewarot »

If you want a conspiracy theory about it...

I believe that power is passed along selectively to children, to help decide who the future elite are.... the "lucky" half are taught how to correctly tie their shoes... the other half end up with granny knots, which then signals to the elite this person is not one of them.

I was one of the granny knot population, always having to stop and re-tie my shoes... fortunately I learned the error of my ways about 3 years ago.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#133

Post by lmilcin »

wrycoder wrote: post #129
wffurr wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Berluti knot looks a lot like "Ian's secure knot" mentioned in other threads: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/secureknot.htm

It is also the same as the Turquoise Turtle knot, mentioned by Brian Toss in his great book, "The Rigger's Apprentice". He discovered it in a clothing store of that name. The Berluti knot traces back into European aristocracy. Ian's secure knot neglects to tuck one of the loose ends - it's not as secure.

I have The Complete Rigger's Apprentice on my bookshelf.

The Turquise Turtle Knot is described on page 357 and it is similar, but not the same as Berluti knot.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#134

Post by Kluny »

mikewarot wrote: post #132

If you want a conspiracy theory about it... I believe that power is passed along selectively to children, to help decide who the future elite are.... the "lucky" half are taught how to correctly tie their shoes... the other half end up with granny knots, which then signals to the elite this person is not one of them. I was one of the granny knot population, always having to stop and re-tie my shoes... fortunately I l…

Has your career improved since then?

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#136

Post by Andrex »

sixhobbits wrote: post #115
elliekelly wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there a word or a phrase for this phenomenon? When something becomes a habit requiring no thought at all and then, when forced to actually think about it, the brain draws a complete blank?

In classical music at least it's often referred to as a "memory lapse"

Your comment got me looking into the phenomenon, and I found this great article: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-07-17-19941981...

From 1994!

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#139

Post by NDizzle »

wffurr wrote: post #102
lmilcin wrote: post #90

My favorite shoelace knot is berluti knot. https://www.bestshoe99.in/how-to-tie-shoelaces/ It is symmetrical, it looks beautiful, it takes about as much time to tie and it has exactly zero chance of untying itself. It has never failed me since I learned it.

The Berluti knot looks a lot like "Ian's secure knot" mentioned in other threads: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/secureknot.htm

That’s the one I use. Comes in handy coaching youth sports. Only problem is you end up tying everybody’s shoes until you teach them all this knot. One of my players taught her dad and his mind was blown.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#140

Post by samatman »

jet_32951 wrote: post #130
samatman wrote: post #112

Random terminology question: While I was aware of the term "Reef knot", that knot is commonly, almost exclusively, called a "Square knot" in my (midwestern American) dialect of English. Is this a British thing?

Among American sailors you will find "reef knot" dominates: it is the knot used to "reef" or diminish a sail's useful area. Among Boy Scouts (and no offense intended here) you will find the term "square knot" dominates.

Boy Scouts being where I learned my knots: none taken!
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