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Reef Knot
Also referred to as a "Square Knot"
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A "Reef Knot" is basically a Standard Shoelace Knot minus the loops. This is useful
when the ends are not long enough to tie a regular "bow", such as when a shoelace has broken and there is no ready
replacement.
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Step 1:
Tie a Starting Knot as shown. Note the short ends, which would make it difficult to
create the loops needed to tie a Standard Shoelace Knot.
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Step 2:
The steps for tying are the exact opposite of the Starting Knot. Cross the right (blue)
end over the left (yellow) end. The right (blue) end is now on the left side.
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Step 3:
Begin to wrap the left (blue) end around the front of the right (yellow) lace to end up at the back of the gap
between the laces.
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Step 4:
Feed the left (blue) end through the gap to emerge at the front left hand side. Pull tight to complete the knot.
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Finished Knot
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The finished Reef Knot with two very short ends. It would be nearly impossible to make such short ends into long
enough loops to tie a Standard Shoelace Knot. |
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Technical Details
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Untying the Reef Knot:
Most shoelace knots are untied by simply pulling on either or both of the ends. These act as "drawstrings", which
pull the loops back through the knot until it falls apart.
Because the Reef Knot has neither loops nor drawstrings, many people resort to picking it apart. However, it can
also be undone as follows:
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Step 1:
Pull one end straight upwards until its curves have been pulled into a straight line. In this example, the right
(yellow) end has been pulled straight, but the left (blue) end could have been used instead.
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Step 2:
The left (blue) end is still wrapped around the right (yellow) end with a double-loop. Simply slide this
double-loop up and outwards along the straight (yellow) lace until it falls off the end.
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See also my Slipping Knots page, which discusses why a balanced "Reef Knot" stays secure
whilst an un-balanced "Granny Knot" comes undone.
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This page last updated: 16-Sep-2008. Copyright © 2006-2008 by
Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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