[torrent-of-ions]

More importantly, make sure your starting knot and main knot are correct with respect to each other. When I learnt the Ian knot, I later learnt that I'd been tying my shoes using a "granny knot": http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/grannyknot.htm If you are doing this, the easiest thing to do is reverse your starting knot; relearning the main knot is going to be much harder.

Since learning the Ian knot (and correct starting knot) I can honestly say I enjoy tying my shoes every day and relish the opportunity to tie a bow at any other time.

[schoen]

Wow, after reading that page I realized that I did this all throughout elementary school and middle school, which explains why my shoelaces would come undone all the time.

I use the "Two Loop Shoelace Knot Bad Technique 1" from that page.

In recent years I've been wearing shoes with a different fastening mechanism, but I have to tie some dress shoes for a wedding tomorrow, so this is very timely knowledge!