SILK KNOTTED

SILK KNOTTED By Richard Robinson The magician displays a large handkerchief held diagonally between his hands. The handkerchief is given a shake and a large knot appears in its center. Yet the magician does not appear to have let go of the ends. Rope and silk magic at times involve the appearance, vanish, penetration or multiplication of knots. There are effects like the Serpent Silk and Linking Ropes which rely on the audience understanding just what a knot does or at least should do in reality. Other effects such as the Sympathetic Silks create the illusion of the knots themselves taking flight, moving from one location to another at the whim of the magician. Another sub-category of knot magic is the introduction of the fake knot in certain circumstances. This includes the gag of throwing the knot away so beloved of many Cut And Restored Rope workers seeking to avoid the challenges of manipulation. Drawing room conjurors of earlier times would sometimes attempt to entertain audiences with a few minutes of knot tying. Whether their audiences found this rewarding isn't recorded, but the various knot ties have become part of the literature of magic and deserve at least passing attention by anyone working with silk handkerchiefs or rope. Props A silk handkerchief from 18 to 24 inches / 45 to 60 cm square. Although it is rarely noted in the literature, the size, quality, weight and even the hem of a silk can determine how suitable it is for a particular use or manipulation. This is especially true where knots are involved. A patterned silk is used in the photographs since this type of silk increases the visibility of a knot at a distance. If something isn't working when you think it should or seems more difficult than expected, try a larger handkerchief. The Appearing Knot The illusion of a knot being tied in the handkerchief without letting go of the ends very much depends on the positions of the hands, fingers and silk ends during the sequence of moves involved. The moves must be made without hesitation, in one continuous motion. The result is quite deceptive. The Hold Before learning the tie sequence, practice holding the silk between the hands so the right end runs over the right palm and the left end runs behind the left hand.

The left hand holds the corner between the first and second fingers with the body of the silk behind the hand. Note the silk is clipped towards the base of the two fingers. The right hand holds the diagonal corner of the silk between the first and second fingers with the body of the silk on the palm side of the hand. The left and right hands holding the silk just prior to the knot tying action. In performance, the right hand picks up the silk, repositioning the corner held between the first and second fingers. The left hand moves to the silk, left palm down, the silk goes between the left first and second fingers and the left hand slides down the silk to the opposite end. As the left hand nears the opposite diagonal corner, the left palm turns up. The silk is held horizontally in the photograph but should be hanging down vertically during performance as the left hand slides down the silk. The left hand, palm up, silk trapped between first and second fingers, body of silk behind the hand. Once the left hand is in position it rises up so it is level with the right hand. The hands are held apart.

The Tie The hands are now going to move towards each other and then apart. As they move apart a knot is seen tied in the center of the silk. As the hands come together, the left second and third fingers take hold of the right hand silk corner and right second and third fingers take hold of the left hand silk corner. The first and second fingers of each hand release their hold on the silk. As the hands move apart a knot is tied in the silk. This occurs because the right end of the silk is above the right hand and the left diagonal end of the silk is below the left hand.

An exaggerated view of the finger positions. The left second and third fingers spread apart to take hold of the right hand silk corner. The right second and third fingers spread apart to take hold of the left hand silk corner. The right hand silk corner goes between the left second and third fingers ... ... the left second and third fingers close together to grip the right hand silk corner. An overhead view of the corners held by the opposite hand's second and third fingers. The right hand positioned behind the left hand, the right second and third fingers clipping the left hand silk corner. The hands are spread apart, the first and second fingers releasing their hold on the corners previously held. Left: The knot appears tied in the center of the silk. Right: The fingers shift position slightly so the fingers tips are holding the ends of the silk rather than clipping them. This makes a better display.

Handling The hands come together and then pull apart as if tugging the handkerchief between them. The second or third time the hands approach each other, then both turn in and palm down. The left hand moving slightly above the right as the hands come together. The right hand turns in toward the body a bit. The second and third fingers of both hands spreading apart an inch of so. Done properly the second and third fingers of each hand are now in position to take hold of the end of the handkerchief held by the opposite hand. The fingers close to clips these ends. The hands now move apart, rotating out and palm up as they do so. A knot will be seen to be tied in the center of the handkerchief.