My rock-climber friend also was quick to
point out that the square knot is inherently less likely to
come undone (which is a rather important point when your
life depends upon tying the correct knot). A second friend
provided valuable experimental evidence, confirming the
importance of the correct knot. In his experiment one shoe
was tied using a granny knot while his other shoe was tied
using a square knot of approximately equal tightness. In a
12 day observational peiod he noted that he had to re-tie
the granny knot 14 times while the square knot never once
came undone! Furthermore, a survey of 13 random people
showed the surprising results that only 3 used the strong
square knot while 10 used the inferior granny knot!
So how can you tell which way your shoe
is tied? Simply yank on the loops of your shoe laces until
the loops come undone and you are left with a knot. Compare
the structure of the knot to the diagrams above and you will
instantly discover whether you really learned all you need
to know in kindergarten.
Of course one may still be left with the
next question of what to do if you belong with the 75% of
people who use the inferior granny knot. Well don't
worry.... you're not doomed to a life of forever tripping
over your shoelaces as there is an easy solution. In fact,
all you have to do is change the way you perform the
cross-over part just prior to the loop part of tying your
shoes. If you normally cross the right lace over the left
lace, then switch things around and cross the left lace over
the right lace. Then tie the loop part as normal. The net
effect will be to change your granny knot into the square
knot and your shoes will stay tied!
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