To lace a shoe

Lace shoes come with pre-made eyelets (holes) to accept a shoe lace. There can be anywhere from 2 to 14 eyelets, but the average is 6 to 8 on regular tennis shoes. The holes are on both sides of the shoe's topmost fabric or leather.

Laces are fed through the holes, so that the center point of the "string" (lace) sits on the center-top of the foot. If it is not centered, the 2 ends will be uneven and it will be harder or impossible to make a bow.

Laces are started in the holes farthest away from the body. This is because a human needs the tied lace as close to the top of the foot near the ankle for the shoe to be comfortable and to stay on the feet.

Laces can be fed through the holes underneath (most used), or over the holes (less frequently used). From under, you'd lift the center fabric away from the tongue of the shoe, then put the lace beneath the hole and pull it through. You'd do the same on the other side. From over the holes, you'd just feed the lace down through the hole (one end to each side). Whichever way you pick (over or under), you'd continue the same method for each hole, both sides.

As you lace into one side, the lace is taken across the foot to the matching opposite eyelet, then pulled through there. Once 4 holes are "filled", you'll see that it creates an "X" effect on the shoe, over the shoe's tongue. This "X" pattern will continue as you proceed to cross the lace to the opposite side, and continue upward toward the ankle. (Note: This same criss-cross effect is used on sandals that have leather straps or strings that criss-cross up the calf toward the knee.)

Once the lace is fed through the holes, check again that the 2 ends have an equal or almost equal length. If unequal, you can lift the laces and pull the longer lace back through until the end-lengths are even.

To tie a shoe lace

Tying of laces is a skill generally learned between kindergarten and about 3rd grade, because it requires hand-eye coordination and dexterity that is lacking before that age. However, it is a skill that takes practice and some adults still struggle with the task.

Once the ends of the laces are fairly even, you'd take the string in your dominant hand and place it under the opposite side, drawing both sides toward the center of your foot. This is not knotted. Instead, it is a semi-snug cross over, leaving each lace end now on the opposite side of the shoe.

Holding each end snugly (as tight as comfortable), you now need to make a loop in the string that is held in your dominant hand. So if you are right handed, the loop will be on the right side string.

During these next steps, you will continue holding both strings / both sides, until finished making a bow.

With your index finger and thumb, you will hold the bottom of that loop, with your thumb and finger right on the shoe (at the last unknotted cross over). Now, take your opposite hand with the straight lace in your fingers and lay it in front of the loop of the other string. Draw the straight lace from the front of the other lace, around the back of the loop (so now the "straight" lace is completely around the loop on the other lace.

This next part is tricky when the task is first being learned. Still holding the loop between your thumb and index finger, you will make sure that the straight lace that goes around the loop is caught under your index finger, behind the loop. With the opposite hand, you will make a loop out of the remaining "straight lace".

At the top-center of your foot, at the base of the first "loop" with the cross-over of the opposite lace, you will take the index finger of your left hand and feel for a "hole" or opening where the 2 laces cross. While holding the 2nd loop you made with your thumb and index finger on the left hand, you will push that 2nd loop through the hole. While doing this, your right-hand thumb and index finger will be holding the first loop at it's base-- ideally, the first loop should be mostly upright, like a leaf sticking out. Keeping the first loop mostly upright helps keep it out of the way while your other hand's fingers finds that opening.

Once the opening is found with your left-hand's fingers, you will push the 2nd (left side) loop under / through the opening. Grab the loop (top) section / ends of both loops, one in each hand, between the thumbs and index fingers, and pull the 2 loops into a bow.

Some people prefer a single bow. Here, there is one bow, with the 2 laces hanging, one on each side of the foot. The ends should only hang about 1/2 way to the ground (or 1/2 way from the top of your foot to the bottom of your shoe).

Other people prefer a double bow. A double bow is also helpful if the shoe strings (laces) are too long for the shoe. To make a double bow, first make the original bow as described above. Then, in the right thumb/index finger, grasp the bow and extra string on the right. Do the same with the left hand for the left side bow and excess string. Make a second bow, using the same steps as described above. The second bow will sit directly on top of the first bow.

Undoing a single bow tied shoe lace

To undo a single bow tied shoe lace, you'd pick one (not both) side, grasping the excess single string (lace) between your index finger and thumb using your dominant hand. Leave the bow and loops free from touch. Swiftly pull the string in one motion, away from the foot (which is away from the bow also). This will undo the bow.

Slip your fingers under the last "loose" cross-over and pull each lace so the right lace is back on the right side of the foot, the left lace is now back on the left side of the foot (just like right after you had finished doing the eyelets).

If you can, just slip your foot out of the shoe. If you need more room for your foot to slip out of the shoe, gently pull the first "X" cross over nearest the top of your foot. Lift, but don't pull the laces out of the eyelets. You can loosen one or more "X" lacings, whatever you need to ease your foot from the shoe.

When shoes are stored, take the lace ends and lay them inside the shoe opening. This helps keep the laces cleaner and removes the temptation a pet might have to play with the laces.

Undoing a double bow tied shoe

Undoing a double bow tied shoe requires loosening the top bow, and undoing it first. If not done properly, the first and second bow will end up creating a knot in the shoe laces. After undoing the second bow, undo the first bow as described above.

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