How to Tie Shoelaces

There are many ways to tie shoelaces and some are very simple. Whether you’re trying to teach young children how to tie their shoelaces or are looking for a new style of lace up, all you need are patient hands and your favorite pair of shoes. You can try a basic knot, or tie your shoelaces using the “rabbit ears,” “circle,” or “Ian knot” technique.

Table of Contents

Basic shoelace

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Place the shoes on a flat surface. Leave the shoelaces on either side of the shoe. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you’re showing someone how to tie this shoelace, point the toe of your shoe toward them so they can clearly see your hand movements.
To make it easier for young children to understand, color the bottom of the shoelaces brown, the middle green, and the top brown. Thus, when you show your child how to make a circle with the shoelaces, it will be like you are creating a “tree” shape, by making sure the green part of the shoelace is always the top of the circle, like leaves at the top of the tree. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Basic knot tying. Hold two shoelaces and thread one through the other, then pull tight. The shoelaces will now form a knot in the middle of the shoe. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Use a shoelace to make a circle. You will now hold the shoelace between your thumb and the next two fingers. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If you’re using the “tree” trick, instruct your child to make a circle with the brown shoelaces tied together (the trunk) and the green above the circle (the leaves of the tree). .

Use your other hand to wrap the other shoelace around the circle. You will use your fingers to hold the shoelace and wrap it around the circle. Wrap the laces towards you instead of away. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Again, if using the “tree” trick, instruct the child to wrap the shoelaces around the “trunk” part of the previously created tree.

Pull that shoelace through the opening to create another loop. You will use your free hand to pull the shoelaces out. You should now see an opening between the first loop of wire and the rope just wound. Pull out the middle of the shoelace just wrapped through the hole. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Another way to teach this trick is to have your child pull the middle of the shoelace through the hole to create another loop.

Hold both loops and pull tight. At this point, your shoelaces have been tied neatly.

You can also instruct your child to pull the loop and the top of the tree to the sides so that it’s tight.

Apply the “rabbit ears” technique

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Place the shoes on a flat surface. Leave the shoelaces on either side of the shoe. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Basic knot tying. Hold two shoelaces and thread one through the other, then pull tight. The shoelaces will now form a knot in the middle of the shoe.

Make a “rabbit ears” circle with a shoelace. You will hold the shoelace between your thumb and the next two fingers. The loop should be small and have a long “tail”.

Make a “rabbit ears” circle with the remaining rope. You will hold the shoelace between your thumb and the next two fingers. Create a long “tail” and a small circle.

Tie a basic knot with two “rabbit ears” circles. Place the circles on top of each other, then bring one circle behind the other and thread it through the hole you just created.

Tighten the “rabbit ears” circle. Now your shoelaces are neatly tied.

Apply the “circle” technique

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Place the shoes on a flat surface. Leave the shoelaces on either side of the shoe. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

If you’re showing someone how to tie this shoelace, point the toe of your shoe toward them so they can clearly see your hand movements.

Tie a basic knot. Hold two shoelaces and thread one through the other, then pull tight. The shoelaces will now form a knot in the middle of the shoe. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Tie another knot, but don’t pull it tight. Loosen the second knot. You will see there is a circle formed by the knot. Hold that circle and place it close to the top of the shoe. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Thread a shoelace into that circle. Make sure the wire is threaded through the round hole and pulled to the other side. You don’t need to pull the rope tight, but make sure it doesn’t slip out of the circle. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Thread the remaining string into the circle. This lace will also be pulled through the circle and located on the other side of the shoe. ^{[12] X Research Source}

You should now have two loops on either side of the knot in the center of the shoe.

Tighten the two loops. Use your hands to pull two loops of the rope to secure it. Now your shoelaces are neatly tied. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Apply the “Miracle Fingers” or “Ian Knot” technique

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Place the shoes on a flat surface. Leave the shoelaces on either side of the shoe. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If you’re showing someone how to tie this shoelace, point the toe of your shoe toward them so they can clearly see your hand movements.

Tie a basic knot. Hold two shoelaces and thread one through the other, then pull tight. The shoelaces will now form a knot in the middle of the shoe.

Hold on to a shoelace. Use the thumb and index finger of your right hand to hold a shoelace. Fingers are pointed at you. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Make sure your little finger is also holding onto the shoelace.
You will create a half rectangle (or lobster claw) with your thumb and forefinger, while holding the shoelace. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Hold the remaining shoelace. Use the thumb and index finger of your left hand to hold the other shoelace. Again, the fingers are also pointed at you. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Don’t forget the little finger. Make sure your little finger is also holding the shoelace. You will create a half rectangle (or lobster claw) with your thumb and forefinger.

Bring your hands together so that you feel the pressure. Rotate your fingers so they are facing each other. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

You will see two halves of a rectangle or two lobster claws attached to each other.
The shoelaces will now form an “X” shape. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Use your thumb and index finger to pull the shoelaces. Hold the shoelace between your fingers and pull tight. When you pull the shoelace tight, you’ll have two loops on each side of the shoe, and a neat knot in the middle. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Advice

If you’re teaching yourself or teaching young children how to tie shoelaces, don’t spend all day doing it. Instead, do 10 minutes a day for about a week.
Remember that there is no right or wrong in tying shoelaces. You can lace your shoes any way you like, as long as you’re comfortable in your shoes and don’t feel pain while walking.
Remember, it takes a long time to sharpen your needles, practice your shoelace style and you’ll soon be able to do it quickly and easily.
If you do it slowly, you will get better results.

Steps

Basic shoelace

Apply the “rabbit ears” technique

Apply the “circle” technique

Apply the “Miracle Fingers” or “Ian Knot” technique

Advice

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