Millions of people may be tying their shoelaces incorrectly, according to Jonathan Farley, a Scottish tailor who has gained a following for sharing tips online. Farley has demonstrated a minor alteration to the standard "around the tree" method that results in a more secure and aesthetically pleasing knot.
Farley explained that the common method often leads to a "granny knot," characterized by laces that point towards the toes and ankles. This type of knot is less stable and more prone to coming undone. By simply reversing the direction of one of the loops during the tying process, a "reef knot" can be achieved.
"You're never too old to learn something new or to admit that you're wrong," Farley stated, noting that he himself had been tying his shoelaces incorrectly for decades. He shared a video demonstrating the difference between the two knots.
In his demonstration, one shoe featured the typical "up and down" lace direction, while the other displayed a neater, side-to-side alignment. Farley described the latter as looking "quite smart" and the former as looking "wrong."
He attributed the discovery of this technique to a commenter on a previous video, who advised him to try wrapping the shoelace from the opposite direction. After implementing this change, Farley declared the result to be "perfect."
Tying the More Secure Knot
The key adjustment involves the final step of tying the bow. Instead of wrapping the second loop in the same direction as the first, reversing this direction creates a reef knot. This knot is symmetrical, allowing the two halves to pull evenly against each other, which enhances friction and keeps the knot tight. In contrast, the granny knot is asymmetrical and prone to loosening with movement.
Viewers have responded positively to the tip, with many commenting that the new method results in a stronger knot that does not require double knotting. The revised technique takes the same amount of time to execute as the traditional method, offering a simple solution to the common annoyance of shoelaces coming undone.
