I see people tying their belts and bows in appalling ways every day. What you’re aiming for is a neat, crisp knot that lies flat and looks nice. The reef, or square knot is the best way to do this. It’s extremely easy if you follow these simple instructions:
- Left over right, tuck under and tighten
- Right over left, tuck under and tighten
The pictures below (courtesy of Ian’s Shoelace Site) illustrate the process in 4 steps.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never forget it. The reef or square knot is what you should use when tying:
- a neck tie or waist tie on a girly top
- a neckerchief
- an oblong scarf
- a waist sash or belt
If you need to make a symmetrical and professional looking bow – try tying a reef knot first and then completing the normal steps involved in making a bow.
