The Granny Knot (Boehmer)

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

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 Men's side while 2s end at top
17-24 1s, in prom hold, dance ½ reel of 3 across with 3s (LSh to 3L) to end 2nd place Ladies' side. 1L dances ½ reel of 3 across with 2s (LSh to 2M) while 1M dances ½ reel of 3 with 3s (RSh to 3L in 3M's place)
25-32 1s (prom hold) dance ½ RSh reel of 3 across with 2s; 1s in centre turn RH to 2nd place own side. 213

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

The Granny Knot (Boehmer) - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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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

Reef Knot

Thief Knot

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.

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