Learn how to tie a square knot, also known as a reef knot, with this clear step-by-step tutorial. This essential knot is perfect for tying ropes together, securing bundles, and everyday practical use, ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. In 1876, Peter Guthrie Tait set out to measure what he called the “beknottedness” of knots. The Scottish mathematician, whose research ...

Learn how to tie the Poacher’s Knot, a strong and reliable sliding knot that’s a great alternative to the classic slip knot — perfect for fishing, bushcraft, and outdoor use. #PoachersKnot #KnotTying ...

After a year of testing, I discovered the diagram in my original GT knot article was wrong. Here’s the corrected version and a brief explanation why this knot still earns my full confidence. Now that ...

The improved clinch knot has long been the standard for tying lures to fishing lines. In fact, it's so universal among anglers that it's sometimes called the fisherman's knot. It's easy to learn, ...

In 1876, Peter Guthrie Tait set out to measure what he called the “beknottedness” of knots. The Scottish mathematician, whose research laid the foundation for modern knot theory, was trying to find a ...

Scanning the crowd at a fancy soiree may reveal a wide array of neckties, each fastened with a highly complex mathematical object masquerading as fashion. An entire field of mathematics is devoted to ...

Why is untangling two small knots more difficult than unravelling one big one? Surprisingly, mathematicians have found that larger and seemingly more complex knots created by joining two simpler ones ...

On a recent afternoon, a dressmaker named Sergio Guadarrama rummaged through a pile of fabric. He and his partner had converted the living room of their home, in Hudson, New York, into a bridal ...

We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Perhaps you know them by their specific names— the square, the figure eight, the fisherman, the sheepshank.

Humans are pretty good at guessing whether a towering stack of dishes in the sink will topple over or where a pool ball will go when a cue hits it. We evolved this kind of physical reasoning to ...