The Granny Knot

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE GRANNY KNOT 1 (R8x32) 3C (4C set) M Boehmer Cameo Coll 1

1- 8 1s+2s+3s set, cross RH, set and cross back LH
9-16 2s followed by 1s lead down for 3, 1s followed by 2s lead up and 1s (prom hold) cast to 2nd place Mens side while 2s end at top
17-24 1s dance ½ reel of 3 across with 3s to 2nd pl Ladies side, 1L dances ½ reel of 3 across with 2s while 1M dances ½ reel of 3 with 3s
25-32 1s (prom hold) dance ½ reel of 3 across with 2s and 1s end turning RH to 2nd places

(MINICRIB, Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton. Deeside Caledonian Society.)

THE GRANNY KNOT 2 (S3x48) 3C set J Drewry Greenburn Bk 3

1- 8 1s set, 1M casts 1 place, 1M+2L dance ½ Fig of 8 round 1L+2M to end beside partner (Lady on partners right)
9-16 1s+2s+3s set and circle 6H round to left for 2 bars, turn partner 2H and circle 6H round to left back to place (in circle formation)
17-24 1+2+3 Ladies set, dance RH across and dance round partners (LSh) to place (in circle formation)
25-32 1+2+3 Men, dance RH across and turn partners LH to face anticlockwise with partner on right in prom hold
33-40 1s+2s+3s Promenade once round, 2s followed by 1s+3s lead down and drop LH to face up
41-48 3s followed by 1s+2s lead up cross and cast down on opposite sides (to 213), 2s cross RH while 1s+3s dance RH across ½ way to 231

(MINICRIB, Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton. Deeside Caledonian Society.)

Dance Information

The granny knot is a binding knot, used to secure a rope or line around an object.

It is considered inferior to the reef knot, which it superficially resembles.

Granny Knot Photograph
Granny Knot

Granny Knot Photograph
Reef Knot

Granny Knot Photograph
Thief Knot

Granny Knot Photograph
Grief Knot

The reef knot (square knot) is the strongest of this knot family, but it should be noted that this is a very poor way of connecting two rope ends. This is because the knot will undo if a free end is pulled outwards.

The thief knot is so-named because it is supposed to have been used for tying around valuable trunks. On first inspection it looks exactly like the reef knot so if an unauthorised person undoes the knot to look into the trunk, and then refastens the rope with a reef knot, their actions could easily be detected by the owner.

The grief knot is so-named because it looks similar to the reef knot but is very likely to slip undone, causing grief.

Dance Information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence.
Text from this original Granny Knot article on Wikipedia.
Image Copyright Counting Pine.

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