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The “Granny Knot”

fieggen.com

251–260 of 262 posts

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#251

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?

Check out the Backwards Brain Bicycle. Lots of fun. https://youtu.be/MFzDaBzBlL0

Isn't it just muscle memory? Like how it is difficult to switch back and forth between a Qwerty keyboard and a Dvorak keyboard, except with the addition of balance thrown in.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#252
YES! This is going to FINALLY win me the war of how to properly tie shoelaces in my home. My spouse has continuously taught our kids the 'bunny ears' method while i battle to teach them the 'right' way and break this poor tying habit. Thank you OP!

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#253

The ordinary shoelace knot is the 'slippery square knot'. It's 'slippery' because its tied with a loop so you can pull the free end to release. And it's 'square' because its symmetrical when tied right. There are three ways to tie a square knot wrong. One of them is the 'Granny'. I don't remember the names of the others. Anyway its the reason our climbing staff teach to never tie any climbing rope with a square knot…

I have a knot book that refers to these types of knots as "exploding" knots. They are essentially the same as the original knot, but the final tuck is done with a bight to make untying it easily.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#254
Thank to OP for posting this and thus educating others about the “Granny Knot” problem in relation to shoelaces. All of your comments have been quite fascinating! I'm pleased that so many of you have also learned a couple of my own knots. The “Granny Knot” info can be life-changing, while the “Ian Knot” and “Ian's Secure Knot” can both be “life-improving”.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#255

A few years ago I switched from the "Granny Knot" to the "Ian Knot" [0] in order to (1) eliminate the need for "double knotting" and (2) straighten the bow. Despite the few embarrassing times early in the process where friends observed me struggling to tie my shoes, I can confidently say the switch has been worth it. [0] https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ianknot.htm

Seconded. Since switching to the Ian knot I never find myself retieing my shoes. Even the granny knot version stays tied. It's especially good on thin slippery laces used on dress shoes.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#256
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I keep the starting knot taught by simply keeping the ends tensioned at all times when tying. Re people saying the Ian knot doesn’t come undone: neither do my normal ones.

The reason your knot does not come undone has nothing to do with tension and everything to do with the order of the way you tie it. Left over right, then right over left. If you learned the standard knot as a kid in the right order and continue to do it the same way today, then the Ian knot will tie the exact same knot. The only difference is that the Ian knot will wear your laces more evenly and it ties faster.

Knots I've tied Ian's way are the most taut, precisely because I have no issue applying tension all the way, instead of the old method with switching hands and stuff, where that was impossible.

If you're doing it right, the result is not like keeping a finger on the slipknot - it's better (and simpler, faster and as taut as you want).

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#257
post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So having immediately tried this knot, I cannot get it to lay with the laces to the side like that. Mine turns vertical. My first assumption was that I was making a granny knot, but it doesn't matter which way around I knot the second knot. Is this just a failing of this knot or am I doing something wrong?

You are making berluti version of granny knot or granny version of berluti knot (which may very well be the same thing but I just can't decide how to name this correctly).

Well yes, that much I figured, but that happens no matter which way around I tuck the loops. I'm looking more specifically for what to do differently to not end up with a granny variation.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A few weeks ago I went to play a piece on the piano. I completely blanked, tried to piece together the intro by ear but wasn't really getting anywhere. My teacher played the intro and then boom, the whole thing was back under my fingers. The brain really is fascinating.

This happens to me all the time when playing guitar. I could be there blankly strumming wondering what the notes were, but the moment I get something right, I’ve got it. Or sometimes it’s that I can’t remember the rhythm at all and I try to hum it or anything at all that might help me remember and once I’ve got the first few moments it comes flooding back. It doesn’t help that I’m relatively new to guitar.

> It doesn’t help that I’m relatively new to guitar.

I've played for 16 years and I still have these moments. But thankfully it's so satisfying when the music finally kicks in.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#259
post #249
post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would love to read if anyone has it mirrored? Looks like the original article isn't available for EU market.

Maybe one of these two will work: https://outline.com/SeEEHt https://archive.is/D05nu For the future, you can usually create these for yourself by going to top of the sites that I linked.

Works great! Also on other sites, thanks for the tip.

Re: The “Granny Knot”

#260

The ordinary shoelace knot is the 'slippery square knot'. It's 'slippery' because its tied with a loop so you can pull the free end to release. And it's 'square' because its symmetrical when tied right. There are three ways to tie a square knot wrong. One of them is the 'Granny'. I don't remember the names of the others. Anyway its the reason our climbing staff teach to never tie any climbing rope with a square knot…

I have a knot book that refers to these types of knots as "exploding" knots. They are essentially the same as the original knot, but the final tuck is done with a bight to make untying it easily.

I had not heard it called that before. I got 'slippery' from Ashley. His book is a gem but I imagine you know that :)
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