Life Lessons with Andy

Instructional Post

Today I have decided to switch it up from the usual routine of writing Technical Writing Chapter reviews or Journal Article reviews and have decided to instead have some fun. For this week’s blog post I will be writing an instructional piece on how to…. (Drumroll please)

Tie a shoe!

That’s right, for those of you middle aged, career-oriented professionals who just never got around to it, have no fear. By the end of this article you’ll be tying shoes like a madman! So, go ahead and toss out your Velcro sneaks and Crocs and read on for the lesson of a lifetime.

Step 1.

If this is your first time tying a shoe It will be easier to put the shoe on a table sole side down, with the toe facing you.

Step 2.

Ensure that the shoe laces are laced all the way to the top, but that they are completely untied with one side of string on the left side of the shoe and the other side of the string on the right side. We will from here on out call the string on the left-side String A and the string on the right-side String B.

Step 3.

Grab String B and move it from the right side of the shoe over to the left side so that it is draped across the laces.

Step 4.

Grab String A and move it from the left side of the shoe over to the right side so that it is now draped across String A and the laces.

Step 5.

With your left pointer finger and thumb grab the two strings where the intersect and pinch.

Step 6.

While still pinching with your left hand, Grab the tip of String A and bring it beneath String B so that it comes up between the intersections of the strings and pull it through until tight. Release left hand from string.

Step 7.

Simultaneously pull the tips of both String A and B away from each other until tight. You can release both Strings.

Step 8.

Starting at the base of the newly formed knot gather up a 4-inch section of String B and using your left pointer finger and thumb form a loop (Loop should have 2 inches of upward facing section, 2 inches of downward facing section).

Step 9.

While still holding base of the loop with your left hand, grab String A 4 inches away from the base and traveling Clockwise, loop 360 degrees around the base of the previously formed loop that you are still holding with your left hand.

Step 10.

At this point your will notice there should be a hole between your String B loop and the first 90 degrees of your String A loop. Carefully push a 1-2-inch section in through this hole and stop.

Step 11.

Very carefully remove both hands from the strings.

Step 12.

With your left hand Grab the section that your just pushed through the hole in step 10 while at the same time grab the String B loop made in Step8 with your right hand.

Step 13.

Slowly pull these loops away from each other (Laterally across the shoe). As you pull on the strings you will notice them tightening up. Tighten until you have achieved your desired result

At this point you will notice that you have now successfully tied a shoe yet there is a problem. The shoelaces are tied but the shoe is not on your foot! You have three options and they are as follows:

1.     With the shoe still tied force your foot into the shoe.

2.     Buddy up and have a friend tie your shoe for you by following these directions and you likewise could share the good deed.

3.     Practice enough until you are comfortable to translate the instructions in your head to the different orientation you would be observing is said shoe was already on your foot prior to lace tying attempt.

Although option three is probably the most socially acceptable one, I say you do what makes you happy (unless of course, that includes wearing Crocs, then please refer to the above and throw them out immediately). Now go! March Triumphantly around showing off your beautifully tied shoes.