Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Knotwork

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

KNOTWORK (J8x40) 3C (4C set) Wouter Joubert RSCDS Book 44

1- 8 1M+2M set and link while 1L+2L reverse set and link (1s end facing out), 1s+3s set and ½ turn on sides (Men LH and Ladies RH)
9-16 2s+3s+1s dance reflection reels on own sides (1s dance up between 3s who dance out and down to start)
17-24 1s set, cross RH, cast up to 2nd place and turn LH to face 1st corners
25-32 1s dance ½ diagonal reel of 4 with 1st corners, pass RSh and dance ½ reel with 2nd corners ending in 2nd place opposite sides
33-40 3s+1s+2s turn partners RH and chase clockwise ½ way to own sides

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


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Instruction Videos

Knotwork - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

Knotwork is the deliberate intertwining of rope, cord, or similar materials, serving various practical and decorative purposes.

In practical applications, knots are categorised based on their function: hitches secure a rope to another object; bends join two rope ends; loop knots create fixed loops; and splices involve interweaving strands to form a continuous rope. These knots are integral in activities such as sailing, climbing, and rescue operations.​

Beyond their utilitarian uses, knots hold significance in mathematics, particularly in knot theory, which studies the properties of knots as closed loops in three-dimensional space. This field explores how knots can be transformed or classified without cutting the loop, contributing to areas like topology and molecular biology.​

Knots of ancient origin include the bottle sling, bowline, cat's paw, clove hitch, cow hitch, double fisherman's knot, eskimo bowline, figure-eight knot, fisherman's knot, half hitch, kalmyk loop, one-sided overhand bend, overhand knot, overhand loop, reef knot, running bowline, single hitch, thief knot, Turk's head knot, and two half-hitches.

Knots also feature prominently in cultural and symbolic contexts. For instance, the endless knot is a symbol in various spiritual traditions, representing concepts like eternity and interconnectedness. In decorative arts, intricate knotwork designs appear in textiles, jewellery, and architecture, reflecting aesthetic values and craftsmanship.​

The study and application of knots encompass a diverse range of disciplines, from practical problem-solving in physical tasks to abstract theoretical research and cultural expression.

Knot Board On A Ship, The Elbe 1, c. 1965
Knot Board On Ship, Elbe 1, c. 1965


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Text from this original Knot article on Wikipedia.
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