> I'm somewhat fascinated by people's ability to tie knots that are more complicated than the basic shoelace one.
> Even that reef knot gif eludes me
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These statements are in contradiction. The reef knot IS your shoelace knot. If you can tie your shoelaces, you can tie a reef knot, by definition.
Specifically, a "shoelace tie" is the slipped reef knot. "Slipped" means that you leave little loops so that its easier to untie later. Get rid of the "loops" in your shoelace tie, and you'll make a fine (more permanent) reef knot.
I prefer the granny knot because it rotates the shoelaces so they're less likely to get caught on things. I've never had any trouble with it coming untied. https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/grannyknot.htm discusses the difference in detail, but fails to acknowledge this benefit of granny knots.
Yup, I do. Never was taught a different method and this one works well enough but I'd really prefer not to spend the rest of my life being so inept at a basic skill.
> Even that reef knot gif eludes me
--------
These statements are in contradiction. The reef knot IS your shoelace knot. If you can tie your shoelaces, you can tie a reef knot, by definition.
Specifically, a "shoelace tie" is the slipped reef knot. "Slipped" means that you leave little loops so that its easier to untie later. Get rid of the "loops" in your shoelace tie, and you'll make a fine (more permanent) reef knot.