Don't be put off by this daunting collection - most people only need to learn one "regular" knot and perhaps one
"secure" knot. It also helps to have other choices in case one particular knot proves frustrating, especially when
learning to tie shoelaces for the first time.
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18 Different Ways To Tie Shoelaces
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My diagrams are all drawn as though looking down at your own shoes while tying, and are colour-coded to make it
easier to follow where the lace runs. The lace end that starts on the left side is
Blue and the end that starts on the right side is
Yellow. For colour-blind visitors,
Blue=Dark=Left,
Yellow=Light=Right.
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REGULAR SHOELACE KNOTS:
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Standard Shoelace Knot
Of all the shoelace tying techniques shown to me by others, this is by far the most common: Make a loop with one
end, wrap the other end around it and pull a loop through the "hole" in the middle. |
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Two Loop Shoelace Knot
Commonly referred to as a "Bunny Ears" shoelace knot (due to its two loops): Make a loop with both ends, then
simply tie a knot with them. It's often tied incorrectly, resulting in an un-balanced
Granny Knot. |
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Ian Knot = Ian's Fast Shoelace Knot -
Recommended!
I tie my shoelaces with an "Ian Knot", the World's Fastest Shoelace Knot: Make a loop with both ends and
simultaneously pull them through each other to form an almost instant knot. It's a truly revolutionary way to tie
your shoelaces! |
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SECURE SHOELACE KNOTS:
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Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot -
Recommended!
This knot combines the best features of numerous secure shoelace knots, with particular emphasis on symmetry: Cross
two loops and pass them both through the "hole" in the middle. Great for serious sports or for securing slippery
laces. |
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Surgeon's Shoelace Knot
This is the most common secure shoelace knot: Make a
Standard Shoelace Knot, but
before pulling tight, run the loop around and through the middle for a second time. |
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Turquoise Turtle Shoelace Knot
Another less common secure shoelace knot: Make a
Two Loop Shoelace Knot ("Bunny Ears"), but before pulling tight, pass the loop and adjacent loose end through
the middle for a second time. |
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Better Bow Shoelace Knot
Another secure knot variation, again based on looping around more than once: Begin as for a
Standard Shoelace Knot, only loop around twice before pulling through the loops thus made. |
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FreedomKnot Shoelace Knot
This is yet another of the secure knots on which my own
Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot is based: Make an "O" and pass a loop through it from both the front and the back. |
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Double Shoelace Knot
A crude method of making a knot "permanent" or for consuming excess lace to keep the ends from dragging: Tie a
Standard Shoelace Knot, then tie an overhand knot with the finished loops. Unfortunately, it's also very
tricky to un-tie. |
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Double Ian Shoelace Knot
By hanging onto the loops and repeating the
Ian Knot technique, the result is the more secure
Double Ian Shoelace Knot. This is also handy for consuming excess lace to keep the ends from dragging.
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Mega Ian Shoelace Knot
This is a more secure variation of my
Ian Knot: Make a double-loop with both ends and simultaneously pull them through each other. The result is
super-secure, though nowhere near as fast as the regular Ian Knot. |
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Crossed Ian Shoelace Knot
This knot is a curiosity that often results from tying the
Ian Knot incorrectly. Twisting the starting loops in the wrong direction results in a knot with the ends
crossed within the knot. It seems more secure, but can easily fall apart. |
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Two Stage Shoelace Knot
This knot is made in two distinct stages: Make and secure one loop, then make and secure the other loop. The result
is slightly more secure because it's less likely for both stages to come undone. |
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Loop the Loop Shoelace Knot
Also known as the "Klets Knot", this method makes any regular shoelace knot more secure: Tie a
Standard Shoelace Knot (or even an
Ian Knot), then feed one loop through the other loop and pull it tight like a noose. |
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SPECIAL PURPOSE SHOELACE KNOTS:
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Halloween Shoelace Knot -
Just for fun!
A decorative knot that makes the perfect finishing touch for a Halloween outfit or for other "creepy" occasions:
Tie your shoelaces with these miniature "Hangman's Nooses". |
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Boat Shoe Knot
Often used on boat shoes (deck shoes) or moccasins with leather laces, the "Heaving Line Knot" creates decorative
coils instead of knots: Each end is simply coiled around itself until all remaining lace is consumed. |
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One Handed Shoelace Knot
Here's the ideal way to tie shoelaces with one hand: Lace the shoe with the bottom end permanently tied off, then
secure the top end with a simple loop knot. |
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Reef Knot
The Reef Knot is basically a
Standard Shoelace Knot minus the loops. This is useful when the ends are not long enough to tie a regular bow,
such as when a shoelace has broken and there is no ready replacement. |