I am having trouble with an aspect of this trick which i will try to describe without giving too much away but in a manner which will be clear to those in the know.

When it comes to the point in the routine where the spectators can tie multiple knots on top of your initial one I struggle to perform the necessary move if i allow them to tighten their knot first. I can only do so if I first 'tighten' it myself and then allow them to do so, no matter how upset i get i cannot rectify the situation if they tighten their own knot.

Now obviously it lessens the effect of allowing them to tie the knot if i dont let them pull it tight.

Any suggestions on this would be very helpful, I have bought Bill Malones 'on the loose vol 1' which details the routine and I own 'The Dai Vernon Book of magic' which has a chapter devoted to knots in an aplicable context to the silk routine. I have also viewed Jay Noblezada silk video at my local magic club and know that it does not go into detail in my area of trouble. I have no intention of spending more on this routine so I hope that if this convinces anyone who knows the routine that i am genuine and not secret stealing i would be very grateful for any advice beyond buying further material.

Many thanks

Johnny

The simple answer is to not let them tighten their own knot. Just have them tie it and you take it back and tighten it yourself, doing the "dirty work" in the process. If you're doing this for a group, just keep moving between people as you tighten and nobody will really care if they didn't do it themselves.

This may be a dumb question but you are using Slydini Silks correct? In other words, silks that are made for this routine. You should be able to let the spectators tighten the knot. I haven't messed with my Slydini Silks for quite some time but it always worked for me. I just found the routine difficult as it requires incredible subtlety to pull off. In my opinion, don't buy the Annotated Slydini silks booklet. It is one of the most confusing and poorly written booklets I've ever read. The annotations are horrible. The bad thing is that the required subtlety is buried in those poorly written paragraphs.

Yeah they are the correct silks, the parachute ones or whatever they call them, and with the distinguishing thread.
Will keep performing, often i find problems resovle themselves with time.
Cheers
J x