zlacker

That would not work for me. I need to keep one finger on the slip knot at all times or it becomes loose, resulting in a very unsatisfying knot. This has been by far the biggest hurdle to teaching my kids to tie a decent knot in their shoelaces: they can move through the motions just fine but it's always loose. I actually start with my left index finger on the slip knot then transition to my right index finger halfway through - much more complicated than it at first seems.

>>flatli+(OP)
what slip knot?

I've been using the Ian knot for probably 10 years now, if anything it's easier to tie it tight since you can keep the tension on the first not held until the very end.

>>flatli+(OP)
Not sure if this would help, and I'm not exactly sure I'm understanding you correctly, but when I tie hockey stakes, instead of a single "left-over-right starting knot" (using terminology from the post), I wrap around two or even three times. This provides enough friction for that first knot to stay put while I tie the loops of the standard shoelace knot (not the Ian knot, with which I'm unfamiliar).

>>flatli+(OP)
Try the Surgeon's Knot instead: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/surgeonknot.htm

>>flatli+(OP)
I keep the starting knot taught by simply keeping the ends tensioned at all times when tying.

Re people saying the Ian knot doesn’t come undone: neither do my normal ones.

>>flatli+(OP)
I keep one of my ringfingers (specifically left hand) on the overhand (starter) knot while I thread the other bits. Works a treat.

>>toxik+i6
The reason your knot does not come undone has nothing to do with tension and everything to do with the order of the way you tie it. Left over right, then right over left. If you learned the standard knot as a kid in the right order and continue to do it the same way today, then the Ian knot will tie the exact same knot. The only difference is that the Ian knot will wear your laces more evenly and it ties faster.

>>pmahon+r3
Sounds like you do something similar to the surgeon's knot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgeon%27s_knot

>>latort+B9
I didn’t mean that tension keeps my knots tied (though clearly some tension is necessary), it was two separate replies — and I’m pretty sure I make granny knots. Eh maybe knot.

>>flatli+(OP)
This is my issue and the sole reason I haven’t adopted the Ian knot. I didn’t realize it but I do the same finger swap that you do.

I’m a runner and it’s important for my laces to be exactly as tight as I need them to be. I’m wondering if others here aren’t as exacting with their knot tension needs.

>>flatli+(OP)
With the Secure Ian's knot, I keep the slip knot loose and only strengthen the other one against that one. It stays firm and my shoe stays comfortable.

>>flatli+(OP)
I use a similar technique to the Ian knot except I pinch the shoelace instead so only the forefinger and pinky are involved and my middle finger is free to hold the slip knot.

The technique I use looks like this: https://youtu.be/_aAeI7p-Tkc?t=11

>>latort+B9
Knots I've tied Ian's way are the most taut, precisely because I have no issue applying tension all the way, instead of the old method with switching hands and stuff, where that was impossible.

If you're doing it right, the result is not like keeping a finger on the slipknot - it's better (and simpler, faster and as taut as you want).