Science once again catches up to knitting.  This article from Live Science details some recent advances in knot theory - a discipline that examines the rules, topologies and probabilities of physical tangles.  It's actually a useful area of study.  There are lots of areas ranging from biochemistry to materials sciences that would benefit from a better understanding of what happens when filaments, proteins, or fibers touch.  Still, it's hard not to say "No kidding!" when faced with some of the observations listed in the write-up:

• “It is virtually impossible to distinguish different knots just by looking at them”
• "Surprisingly little disturbance or motion is even needed [to generate knots]"
• "A highly flexible string placed in a very large container will have a higher probability of becoming knotted than a stiff one that's confined in a smaller container."

I can now officially classify my knitting bag as an Official Basic Science Research Laboratory.  Perhaps I can apply for grants to fund further exploration of the phenomenon.