There are many things that must be done before leaving in the morning, not the least of which is putting on one’s shoes. Of course, immediately after inserting the foot into the shoe there comes the job of effectively tying the laces so as to prevent the shoe from falling off of the foot. This task may appear easy, but for many people it can become a mind-racking problem. For those of you who may be shoe-tying challenged, here are a few guidelines to get you started:
After the foot is inserted correctly into the corresponding shoe, (for example: left foot = left shoe; right foot = right shoe,) the lace of the shoe must be snugged up to a comfortable tension. To do this, place the index fingers of both hands under where the lace crosses itself at the top of the shoe. Pinch the lace of the shoe between the index fingers and corresponding thumbs. Gently pull until the lace tightens to make the shoe fit comfortably on the foot. Release the lace. Now grasp the two loose ends of the lace with the coinciding hands and pull firmly upward until the shoe is tight on the foot. (Be careful not to cut off the circulation to the foot.) Release the lace. Now that it is assured that the shoe will not fall off the foot, the actual tying of the knot can begin.
With the right hand take the right end of the shoe lace and place it over the top of the shoe so that the end falls on the left side. Release the right lace. Then in the left hand take the left end of the shoe lace and place it over the top of the right lace. Continuing to hold onto the left lace, take the end and run it under the right lace once, in a wrap-around type of motion. Release the lace. In the coinciding hands grasp the ends that are currently on the left and right sides of the shoe. Pull the lace ends horizontally, tightening the tricky cross-over maneuver that was just completed. (Again, be careful not to cut off circulation to the foot.) Release the laces.
Grasp the lace end that is on the right about a third of the way from the shoe between the right index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Using the left hand to assist, form a loop about an inch and a half to two inches in length. Continue holding the loop with the right hand’s fingers and thumb. Now using the index finger, middle finger, and thumb of the left hand, grasp the left lace about two to two and a half inches from the shoe. Take the lace that is in the left hand and put it over the top of the loop where it is held by the right hand. Using the small hole that is created by this tactic, take the middle finger of the left hand and gently push the lace through until it may be grasped by the right hand. NOW THIS IS TRICKY, so be careful! While still holding the loop between the thumb and middle finger, grasp the lace with the index finger of your right hand and thumb. Now this is going to be a SIMULTANEOUS transaction, so be ready! Release the loop previously held by the right hand while grabbing the tip of it with the left index finger and thumb. At this point there should be two loops, the tips of which should be held in the respective hands, (right-side loop by right hand, left-side loop by left hand.) Now pull the tips of the loops horizontally until the knot is tight. (CAUTION: do not catch any stray fingers in the knot! This may result in injury or, more importantly, the need to start this whole process over again!) Using your thumbs for assistance, pull the side of each loop that draws the ends of the lace closer to the knot. Be careful not to pull them too far! This may result in the disintegration of the knot. The ends only need to be drawn far enough in that they do not touch the ground. (If this is not done, tripping may occur.) Release the loops.
Very good! The (hopefully) successful tying of one shoe has just now been completed. To get the other foot and shoe ready for the day repeat the above steps. This process may need to be repeated throughout the day as necessary if the knot should come untied. Good luck, and happy walking!
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