The granny knot is a

binding knot Binding may refer to: Computing * Binding, associating a network socket with a local port number and IP address * Data binding, the technique of connecting two data elements together ** UI data binding, linking a user interface element to an eleme ...

, used to secure a

rope A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than similarly ...

or line around an object. It is considered inferior to the

reef knot The reef knot, or square knot, is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is sometimes also referred to as a Hercules knot. The knot is formed by tying a left-handed overhand knot between two ends, ...

(square knot), which it superficially resembles. Neither of these knots should be used as a

bend knot This is a list of bends. A bend is a knot used to join two lengths of rope. They are used in a variety of situations, including climbing, sailing, and securing loads. Bend knots are classified based on their ability to be tightened or released, th ...

for attaching two ropes together.

Etymology

Called the "granny's knot" with references going back to at least 1849, the knot was so-called because it is "the natural knot tied by women or landsmen".

Tying

When attempting to tie a

(square knot), it is easy to produce a granny knot accidentally. This is dangerous because the granny knot can slip when heavily loaded. A tightened granny knot can also jam and is often more difficult to untie than the reef knot. It is better to tie a reef knot in nearly all circumstances. One way to distinguish them is that in the reef knot each loop passes completely over, or completely under (not through) the neck of the other. The reef knot is commonly taught as ''left over right, tuck under'' then ''right over left, tuck under''. The granny knot is the first step repeated twice, ''left over right, tuck under''. This is a very common mistake made by people learning to tie a reef knot. Complete Guide to Heraldry Fig686

Heraldry

In heraldry, the granny knot is known as the

Bourchier knot The Bourchier knot is a variety of heraldic knot. It was used as a heraldic badge by the Bourchier family, whose earliest prominent ancestor in England was John de Bourchier (alias Boucher, Boussier, etc., d. c. 1330), a Judge of the Common ...

, due to being a

heraldic badge A heraldic badge, emblem, impresa, device, or personal device worn as a badge indicates allegiance to, or the property of, an individual, family or corporate body. Medieval forms are usually called a livery badge, and also a cognizance. They are ...

of the

Bourchier family Bourchier is an English surname, from French ''Boursier'', keeper of the purse. Bourchier is the Norman pronunciation. The Barons Bourchier, Barons Berners, Barons FitzWarin, Earls of Essex and Earls of Bath *Robert Bourchier, 1st Baron Bour ...

Arthur Charles Fox-Davies Arthur Charles Fox-Davies (28 February 1871 – 19 May 1928) was a British expert on heraldry. His ''Complete Guide to Heraldry'', published in 1909, has become a standard work on heraldry in England. A barrister by profession, Fox-Davies worke ...

, ''A Complete Guide to Heraldry'' (1909), pp.

390 __NOTOC__ Year 390 (Roman numerals, CCCXC) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Neoterius (or, less frequen ...

Etymology

Tying

Heraldry

Related knots

See also

References

External links