Introduction: How to Tie a Shoe

About: This summer I am working with Autodesk to make Instructables about the FIRST Robotics Competition. I will be studying mechanical engineering at Oregon State University this fall.

Why Learn About Tying a Shoe?
As a new contributor to Instructables, I decided to write a simple project to familiarize myself with the tools and writing style.  Thus began the creation of this tutorial on how to knot ones shoelaces.  This project will focus on how to tie running shoes as opposed to boots or other more exotic shoes.  I hope to receive feedback on this tutorial that will allow me to better communicate my future projects.

Materials Needed
Your hands
A running shoe

Step 1: Unknot Shoelaces

Make sure that the two ends of the shoelace are completely untangled and free of knots past the tongue.  It is often helpful to lay each end of the shoelace on its respective side of the shoe.

Step 2: Create Overhand Knot

Start by forming an overhand knot with the two ends of the shoelace.  This is done by crossing one end of the lace over the other and wrapping it once around the other end, as shown in the picture.  Pull on both ends of the shoelace to tighten as desired.  The ends of the lace should end up on the side of the shoe opposite the one they started on.

Step 3: Finish the Basic Shoe Knot

Form a loop with one end of the shoelace by bringing the middle of the loose segment to the base of the overhead knot.  Hold this loop in place with your thumb and forefinger, as shown in the first picture.

Take the other end of the shoelace and wrap it over your thumb, around the loop, and over your index finger, ending with your index finger pressing it into the bottom of the gap between your other hand’s thumb and forefinger, as seen in picture two.

Continue to push this folded end of the shoelace through the loop created by wrapping the lace around your thumb and index finger.  Once the second loop has formed, you need to swap the loops between your hands, as shown in the third picture.

Once this is complete, pull on the loops to tighten in a manner similar to how you tightened the original knot, as shown in the final picture.  Take care not to pull the ends of the shoelace through the knot in the middle, as it will create a new knot that is more difficult to untangle.

Step 4: Create Double Knot

In order to ensure that your shoelace does not come undone, making a second overhand knot with the loops created in the previous step is recommended.  This is done by crossing one loop over the other and wrapping it once around the other loop.  As seen in the picture, each loop is treated as a single inseparable string for this step.  Pulling on the loops to tighten the shoelace completes the process.

Step 5: Finished!

Congratulations!  You have successfully tied your shoe!

As I mentioned in the intro, I would appreciate feedback so that I can make sure my future tutorials are better.