Page 49 - Bob Holtzman "The Field Guide to Knots How to Identify.."

Finishing Knots

If a knot is tied correctly but lacks the expected form or symmetry, it can
often be “faired”—worked into shape or rearranged without untying. If the

knot you’ve tied looks out of shape, examine the photo of the finished knot
and see if you can replicate it simply by pushing or pulling various parts of
the knot relative to others. Fairing a knot is not only a matter of aesthetics:
an improperly formed knot may also be insecure.

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