Learn to tie your shoes by singing.
The Ian Knot Song
To the tune of “Donguri Korokoro”
Right lace over, tie one knot,
Hold the ends with three fingers.
Make crab claws and scoop them up,
Turn claw tips clockwise.
Flip left claw, see one and two,
Claws shake hands, the laces cross.
Hook the loops, pull them through,
Now you’re done — that’s the Ian Knot!
Right tall finger says hello!
Thumb comes down to make a clip
Tuck left side, push it through
Catch and pull tight — Naoki Knot.
Ian Knot Song Guide
Right lace over, tie one knot
Place the right lace over the left and tie the first knot. This forms the base knot.
Hold the ends with three fingers
On each hand, hold the lace end with your middle, ring, and little fingers, leaving your thumb and index finger free.
Make crab claws and scoop them up
Shape your thumb and index finger like a crab claw on each hand. Use the tips of the claws to scoop the laces up from underneath.
Turn claw tips clockwise
Scoop so that the tips of both claws move clockwise around the base knot. The left claw scoops from the near side, while the right claw scoops from the far side.
Flip left claw, see one and two
Flip the left claw so that its index finger moves behind the thumb. The left side now looks like one visible line, while the right side looks like two. Use this “one and two” shape as a quick visual checkpoint.
Claws shake hands, the laces cross
Bring the two claws toward each other like they are shaking hands. As they meet, the two laces between them naturally cross into an X.
Hook the loops, pull them through
Hook the opposite lace with each claw and pull the loops through. The left thumb hooks the left loop, and the right index finger hooks the right loop.
Now you’re done — that’s the Ian Knot!
Pull the two loops apart to tighten the bow. That completes the Ian Knot.
Right tall finger says hello!
Before tightening the Ian Knot, pass your right middle finger between the two laces that connect to the base knot.
Thumb comes down to make a clip
Bring your right thumb down against the middle finger to make a small clip.
Tuck left side, push it through
Tuck the left loop and lace end together into the clip between your right thumb and middle finger. A slight turn of the left hand, showing a little of your palm, can make them easier to pass through. Push the bundled loop and end through the gap.
Catch and pull tight — Naoki Knot
Catch the loop and lace end with your left hand, then pull both sides tight. That completes the Naoki Knot.