Anyone have tips for teaching me how to tie my shoelaces?

[Olivianna]

I've tried a number of methods all of which leave me with a vaguely dissatisfied feeling. I'm not sure if its the technique I use or what - at least 26 times a day I have to re-tie, and with every hour my frustration builds. I've tried superglue, twine, boiled-down rabbit, and lard. I've resorted to wearing long skirts in an attempt to hide the strings of shame that follow me everywhere. I can't go on like this.

Does anyone have any tips? Websites? Personal experiences that may be helpful for my situation?

 

[Ishmael]

Step #1: Bend over.

Ishmael

 

[Bob_Bytchin]

Just get velcro shoes.

 

[Debbie]

http://members.aol.com/nevertie/shoes_again.html

http://www.webehave.com/lasticlaces2-funstuff.htm

 

[sufisaint]

Try metal wire laces..

 

[CoolidgEffect]

First method:

Double tie them.

tie the first and second part of the knot as you normally would. A half hitch and and the looped half hitch that gives you the rabbit hears. They do look normal right?

Take the rabbit ears (loops) and do one more tie (half hitch) with them.

 

[Willow_starr]

I learned from Sesame Street. My mom tried for years and I didn't get it. But there is a great piece with Harry Monster and Bob (no joke). When you a free afternoon curl up with your favorite pair of sneakers and some good old PBS.

 

[CoolidgEffect]

Second method. I prefer this for my own shoes.

Double wind or pass or knot each half hitch.

So your first half hitch you pass one lace over the other twice rather than just once. This gives you a longer half hitch and more friction.

With the two loops or bunny ears do the same thing. Don't stop and passing one loop over the other once, do it twice. Again longer (to match the first half hitch) and more friction.

The advantage with this over just double tying is you don't have to claw out the third half hitch from the loops. You can still yank on one of the free strings to release the knot.

 

[Malachi]

Maybe this request for shoe-tying information is less than dead-serious.

 

[CoolidgEffect]

You mean I just look like a silly monkey?

 

[Cerberus666]

see the SpongeBob episode "your shoes untied"

 

[hogjack]

OK

I ABSOLUTELY SUCK at tying shoes laces. I've demonstrated my technique to people and they tell me it seems standard. I have never heard of anyone with the same gap in a basic life-skill. I've been teased and taunted for years about it but it's just one of those albatrosses we must carry with head held high.

Seventy-five percent of the time I walk around with laces flapping about like a hound dog's ears.

Double-knotting works but it is unsightly and made for tikes. I'd rather just have flopping shoestrings.

Note:
The Human Genome Project might discover the genetic mutation that causes normal, healthy, adults to be lace-challenged.

Let us hope.

 

[teddybear4play]

As a kid, I was never manually dextrous enough to tie laces the "normal" way.

So I made two loops and then knotted those.

Works pretty good for me.

TB4p

 

[Minkey Boodle]

Loop. Scoop. Pull.

 

[Jim_Henson]

My mother has never worked out how I tie mine, and I'm not allowed to teach anyone else.

 

[Pyper]

I was the last kid in my kindergarten class to learn how to tie my shoelaces. I had to sit all alone trying to tie my shoes while the rest of the kids got story time. Thanks for bringing up the traumatic memories Olivianna.

 

[sch00lteacher]

See the SpongeBob episode "Your shoes untied"

I didn't get that method. I tried to tie mine the way the song went, and it didn't work... Still a good show though.


Knots. Lots of knots.

 

[MechaBlade]

Use a nail gun.

 

[Rusher]

Step 1: Marry/become a billionaire

Step 2: Hire someone to follow you around and tie them for you.


You'll never have to worry about your laces again, and you'll be the envy of all your friends.

 

[horny_giraffe]

I've tried a number of methods all of which leave me with a vaguely dissatisfied feeling. I'm not sure if its the technique I use or what - at least 26 times a day I have to re-tie, and with every hour my frustration builds. I've tried superglue, twine, boiled-down rabbit, and lard. I've resorted to wearing long skirts in an attempt to hide the strings of shame that follow me everywhere. I can't go on like this.

Does anyone have any tips? Websites? Personal experiences that may be helpful for my situation?

I'm not sure that I can add anything to what has already been said--but I want to say that I feel your pain, Olivianna.

It's hard when our own laces reject our best efforts to help them. But understand that ultimately your shoe's laces must need go their own way and determine their own path in their own life's journey.

If you love your shoelaces, set them free. If they come back, they are yours forever, but if they don't--they were never yours to begin with.

God bless you in this your time of need, Olivianna.

 

[kjtatts]

Go barefoot.

Saves time.

 

[Weird Harold]

Does anyone have any tips? Websites? Personal experiences that may be helpful for my situation?

Assuming this is a serious question:

Make sure the laces are pulled tight before you tie them -- start at the bottom and pull the laces tight at each set of grommets to insure they're tight all the way up the shoe.

Pull the knot tight when you tie it and make sure the trailing ends are not dragging on the ground.

 

[Rambling Rose]

Sugar, have I got the guy for you! He has a little trouble chewing his food, but I don't think you're the judgmental type and besides, maybe you could help each other overcome these obstacles and walk into the future having mastered basic mastication and with laces taut and secure!

I'll be happy to ask if he's seeing anyone. I think you two would be perfect together.

 

[ksmybuttons]

Re: Re: Anyone have tips for teaching me how to tie my shoelaces?

Assuming this is a serious question:

Make sure the laces are pulled tight before you tie them -- start at the bottom and pull the laces tight at each set of grommets to insure they're tight all the way up the shoe.

Pull the knot tight when you tie it and make sure the trailing ends are not dragging on the ground.

And be sure it is a square knot bow and not a granny knot. After you have tied them, the rabbit ears should stay straight, horizontal to the tongue. If they lie paralel to the tongue or twist, you have a granny bow.

To achieve a square knot bow, think of the right over left, left over right concept of tying a square knot. When you wrap the single lace over the loop, it can go over or under depending on how you tied the original half hitch...

 

[islandman]

There's that sensuously dark sense of humour again.