Simple way to join two ropes made up of two Half Knots.
VIDEO
Square Knot Details
Found in: Basics, Horse & Farm, Household, Scouting
Also known as: Reef Knot
First Knot: The Square (Reef) Knot (ABOK # 1402, p. 258) is usually learned when we tie the laces on our first pair of shoes. It is often a bow that we tie, but the underlying knot is a Square (Reef) Knot. We also learn how unsatisfactory the knot is. It slips, it comes undone, it jams, and it is all too easy to tie a Granny instead, which behaves even less well.
Purpose: The first Half Knot serves as a binding knot. When tied with the right material on a curved surface, it can bind. But one should not trust it. Surgeons add an extra turn in the first Half Knot. This helps create the needed binding as they get ready for the second Half Knot.
Uses: The Square (Reef) knot has many uses, but it’s not safe for critical situations. You can use it to tie a sail cover, secure a gift, or lace up your shoes (if they have laces). It is also one of the many knots used in macramé. Tying a Square Knot is more than a skill. It shows how to tie a Half Knot or Half Hitch.
Variations: The final frames of the animation show several variations. The Granny Knot appears due to frequent incorrect tying. The Double Throw Knot, or Surgical Knot, is often used by surgeons as the first step in a ligature. The Thief Knot adds interest, but it lacks practical utility. The Square (Reef) Knot often needs extra Half Knots for security. This shows how unreliable it can be. A better option is to use two Surgeon’s Half Knots. They create stronger binding knots for each stage and a secure final knot. When someone ties the second Half Surgeon’s Knots as a bow, it creates a Secure Shoelace Bow.
You can also tie the Square (Reef) knot using bights (loops). For example, to use up long shoelaces, you can tie the knot with loops from the start. This means you cannot untie the final “bow” by pulling the ends – but it creates a secure knot.
(Reference source: animatedknots.com)
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