Knots are undoubtly the biggest thing that worries people new to or considering using woven wraps. I frequently hear "I am not very good at knots", "I am not sure I trust myself to tie it properly" or even "what if the knot becomes undone". And I remember thinking exactly the same first time I saw someone wrap. I thought, gosh no... I never could figure out knots while in the Girl Guides and I am not going to be able to figure it out now on the minimal sleep of a new parent.
But actually its really not that complicated. It's not like in Girl Guides or Boy Scouts where someone is going to sneak up behind you and go OH NO, that's not a Bowman's Hitch thats a Sheeps Head or some nonsense. Honestly, I've got no idea what either of those knots are and nor do I care. When it comes to learning to use a woven or a stretchy wrap you really only need to know one knot - A Secure Double Knot.
Yep you heard that right - a double knot. Literally any secure double knot .... i.e. tie a bog standand single knot and then tie it again. And your done. It's secure, its going nowhere, its as safe as houses. And I mean this... when I do get a parent who is worried about a knot spontenously untying during use, I challenge them to try... tie a knot then wiggle it... pull on one end unevenly, jump around ... etc. Do whatever you like to it, so long as you've tied 2 knots its going nowhere unless you actually, purposefully untie it. And the more you wiggle, jump up and down and so forth all that happens is the knot gets tighter and more secure!
There are 4 ways to tie double knot - and depending which you use you will either get a Granny Knot or a Flat Reef Knot. Both are equally secure so it really doesn't matter which you use. The Granny knot is easier to tie because you do the same motion twice - right over left x2 or left over right x2. So intutively its easier to do! The advantage of the Flat Reef knot is simply that it is flatter so sits more comfortably against your body than the Granny knot (particularly if you sit down!). If you want to try a Flat Reef Knot simply remember that you need to go the other way on the second knot ... i.e. tie the first knot as you would usually and then go the way that doesn't feel natural to you on the second... and Viola! You have a Flat Reef Knot! But if somehow all your attempts at Flat Reef Knots end in Granny's ... don't fret, it really doesn't matter... you wrap job will be just as secure and just as cosy for you and baby!
-Madeleine
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