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Double "Ian Knot" Shoelace Knot
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By hanging onto the loops and repeating the
Ian Knot technique, the result is the more secure Double Ian Knot. This is also handy for consuming excess
lace to keep the ends from dragging. Three or more repetitions can be done for novelty value or for shortening
some excessively long laces.
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Step 1:
Start with a completed
Ian Knot; ideally, you'll still be hanging on to the loops. Make sure you have fairly long loops to work with.
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Step 2:
Repeat steps (2) and (3) of the regular
Ian Knot to rotate the loops and cross them over each other. The main difference is that there are no loose
ends to which you must pay attention; the loops can be crossed any way you want.
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Step 3:
Start to feed one side of each loop through the opposite loop. Again, as neither end is loose, it doesn't really
matter which side you choose, though obviously it's easiest to repeat the exact same movement as used in the regular
Ian Knot.
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Step 4:
Once each hand has a hold of the other side's loop and has let go of its own, pull tight to complete the knot. If
done correctly, the second knot will work its way downwards to end up on top of the first knot.
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Finished Knot
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The finished knot is quite bulky, which is helpful for consuming excess shoelace to keep the ends from dragging. |
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Three or more repetitions:
With plenty of excess lace, the "Ian Knot" can be repeated as many times as desired. The result is a rather
ridiculous looking construction that vaguely resembles a tree fern: A rough, thick "trunk" with two large "leaves"
on top. Whilst certainly novel, it's of little practical value other than for some serious shortening! |
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Technical Details
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Untying the Double "Ian Knot":
The Double "Ian Knot" can usually be untied by simply pulling the ends, especially if the second "Ian Knot" is tied
fairly loosely. However, if tied tightly, this can end up jamming at the last minute, requiring fierce wriggling or
resorting to picking apart the second knot. It's also near impossible to untie three or more repetitions any other
way than picking them apart one by one.
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Other uses:
I've found that a double or triple "Ian Knot" is a very quick & efficient way of tying closed the loop handles of
plastic shopping bags, which I like to reuse as garbage bags. The loops are exactly like the loops of shoelaces,
and two or three repetitions of the "Ian Knot" is much quicker and easier than the two or three overhand knots that
people normally use to tie these bags closed.
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This page is mainly intended to show how the
Ian Knot can be repeated, either for consuming excess shoelace or for novelty value. For those wanting extra
security, my
Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot is a more practical alternative.
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This page last updated: 26-Nov-2008. Copyright © 2004-2008 by
Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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