Tying Shoe Laces One-handed

It broke my heart when I saw a photo of the big toe nail Dean lost because loose Velcro fastenings allowed his feet to slide in his shoes.  I do not want sliding motions when I walk because my hips already hurt from time to time.  I am glad I can tie my shoelaces tightly with one hand (1).        Staying out of a wheelchair is definitely worth the effort.  

Tighten the Lace: If the holes in your shoes are punched through the leather, friction holds the lace in place after you pull on it and let go.  

The lower part of my shoe has D-rings (see bottom of arrow).  At the topmost D-ring I pull the lace tight and then maintain the tension by pressing down with my little finger.  Then I use my thumb and index finger to pull the slack (arched part of lace) through the next hole.        I pull the lace tight in the remaining top holes.

Make a Half Loop:  First my last 3 fingers grab the free end of the lace.  Then I slip my index under the top horizontal lace so my index finger is pointing back at my body.  This allows me to drag the lace under the horizontal lace to create the loop seen in the next photo.

Tighten Lace at Top Hole: The top horizontal lace is loose because my finger was under it so I pull to tighten it (see arrow).  Then I make the messy looking loop neater like in the photo.

Make a Slip Knot: My hand looks fisted while I grab the free end of the lace with my last 3 fingers.          I use my thumb to push the lace through the 1st loop (see arrow) that I created in the photo above.  This creates a 2nd loop.  I pull my thumb free and vigorously yank the loop sitting on the index card from side-to-side to tighten it.  

See tomorrow's post for how I relace my shoes so there is only one free end at the top.  homeafterstroke.blogspot.com

1. Dutton.R.  My Last Degree: A Therapist Goes Home After a Stroke, 2nd ed. Booklocker; 2013.