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Standard Shoelace Knot
Also known as the "Around The Tree Shoelace Knot" or simply the "Bowknot"
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. This is how I was first taught to tie my shoelaces when I was young.
Step 1:
Standard Shoelace Knot diagram 1
Tie a Left-over-Right Starting Knot as shown, then make the right (blue) end into a "loop" by simply doubling it back onto itself.
Step 2:
Standard Shoelace Knot diagram 2
Take the left (yellow) end and pass it around to the right, going behind the right loop.
Step 3:
Standard Shoelace Knot diagram 3
Continue the left (yellow) end around the right loop to end up in front.
Step 4:
Standard Shoelace Knot diagram 4
Start to feed the left (yellow) lace into the "hole" that has just been made.
Step 5:
Standard Shoelace Knot diagram 5
With the left (yellow) lace now through the "hole", grab hold of both loops and start to pull the knot tight.
Step 6:
Standard Shoelace Knot diagram 6
Continue pulling on the loops until the knot is firmly tied.


Finished Knot
Finished Standard Shoelace Knot picture The finished Standard Shoelace Knot is identical to either my Ian Knot, the World's Fastest Shoelace Knot, or to the Two Loop Shoelace Knot.
NOTE: If your finished knot comes out crooked, it's probably because you tie your Starting Knot the opposite way to mine. This will result in an un-balanced "Granny Knot", which both sits crooked and comes undone more easily. See my Slipping Shoelace Knots page for more information.


Technical Details
Technical Name:
This knot appears in The Ashley Book of Knots as #1212 and #1214, "The Bowknot", where it is described as "... the universal means of fastening shoe-strings together." However, Ashley does not illustrate the steps, and only briefly describes the procedure (which is actually more like the Two Loop Shoelace Knot).

Alternative Name:
The technique is also commonly referred to as the "(Bunny) Around The Tree" method, which refers to the "story" that is often used to help children remember the steps:
  1. First create the tree roots (ie. tie the Starting Knot);
  2. Next create the tree trunk (ie. form the first loop);
  3. Rabbit runs around the tree (ie. wrap the loose end around the loop);
  4. Rabbit sees you and dives into the hole (ie. feed through the hole);
  5. Rabbit escapes out the back (ie. emerge and pull tight).
As far as I know, there is no actual "bunny rabbit" shoelace tying song or rhyme, rather, it was only ever told as a simple story.


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Related Links
Ian Knot Ian Knot
Identical knot using a different technique (much faster).
Standard Knot Flip Book Flip Book
User-controllable animation of the Standard Shoelace Knot sequence.
Two Loop Knot Two Loop Knot
Identical knot using another different technique.
Surgeon's Knot Surgeon's Knot
Enhanced, more secure variation of this knot.

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This page last updated: 26-Mar-2012. Copyright © 2003-2012 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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