Page 129 - Gibson W.B. "The complete guide to knots"

121
Knots that are Not

There are many knot tying tricks,
some very complicated, but this one
is so simple that it can easily be
learned. At the same time, it appears
so fair that no one will suspect
trickery.
Take a piece of string and tie it in
three single knots, one at a time.
When you pull the ends of the string,
the knots draw together, and then
suddenly come apart so not a knot
remains!
The first step is to tie a single knot
(fig. 1). Note that end A comes near-
est to the performer — in front of the
knot. Then tie a similar knot, forming
two loops ("X" and "Y"). Again be
sure that the right end ("A") comes
to the front (fig. 2). The result will be
the ordinary Square Knot.
The trick lies in the third knot.
Push end A through loop "X" from
the front, bring it around to the front
again (over top of itself), push it
through loop "Y," and out behind its
original position (fig. 3).
Just pull the ends and the knots
will disappear.

fig. 1