Page 39 - Frank Rosenow "Seagoing Knots"

KNOTS

The Granny

In trying to secure a lashing or bind two ends, the first thing that comes to
mind is probably a half knot followed by another half knot tied in the same

direction. The resulting knot is called a granny.
In the Scandinavian languages it is known as the “karringknop,” which
comes of a word for old woman, which implies that she is mean and slip¬
shod. In Italian, it is called “nodo di vaccaio,” implying that it is a knot
used by people who tend cows.
My mother taught the double granny bow to me for tying my shoelaces
and I expect the reader has had it instilled in him the same way. For this
purpose, it is tied slipped (with the ends doubled) in the second half knot.
Although it easily comes undone, this is probably the world’s most fre¬

quently tied knot. Around 1905, a professor at Uppsala University, Hjal-
mar Ohrwall, observed after a shopping round that of the twenty-six knots
made by shop assistants in securing his packages, eighteen were granny
knots. The experience made him sit down in a huff and write an excellent
book about knots.
Most of us still need to make a conscious effort to avoid the granny, in
favor of the more lastingly binding, symmetrical reef (or square) knot. May
I recommend that the reader teach his children to use the double reef bow
knot for their shoe laces?

KNOTS