Star-Crossed Shoelaces

Contrary to what the title may indicate, these simple instructions to snazzy shoelaces are absolutely foolproof. Follow them and find yourself with two unique shoelace designs: a five-pointed star (sometimes more sinisterly referred to as a pentagram), and a starburst. And the best part? You don't need any extraneous materials, just the pair of shoes on your feet (provided those shoes have six eyelets and laces).

To ensure these instructions are as clear as possible, please remove your shoes before beginning and have them facing you. Hopefully it goes without saying to take your laces out, too. The eyelet closest to the toebox of your shoes will be referred to as eyelet 1, and the eyelet closest to where your ankle would be will be referred to as eyelet 6.

Note: may the stars and stripes of these chic and photogenic Converse (TM?) remind you that you are 100% free to do both shoes in the same design should your little heart desire.

Start with your left shoe by threading the two ends of your shoelace down through eyelet 3 on both sides. Make sure to center your shoelace so that you have the same length to work with on both sides.

Pull both ends of your shoelace out through eyelet 4.

Take both ends of your shoelace and cross under the first horizontal line you created. Thread your laces down through eyelet 2, keeping them as flat to the shoe as possible.

Pull both ends of your shoelace out through eyelet 1.

Cross your laces one at a time under everything you've done so far and thread them down through eyelet 5.

Pull both ends of your laces out through eyelet 6.

Tie your shoes! Double knot if you're one of those people that trips a lot.

Just as with your left shoe, begin by threading the two ends of your shoelace down through eyelet 4 on both sides. Again center your shoelace so that you have the same length to work with on both sides.

Take your left lace and thread it under the eyelets and out through eyelet 2.

Keeping that lace in your hand, cross it over and down through the occupied eyelet 4.

Do the same for the opposite side: take your right lace from eyelet 4 and out through eyelet 2, then cross it over and thread it down through eyelet 4.

Still keeping that lace in your hand, pull it out through eyelet 5.

Then thread that lace across the tongue and down through eyelet 5. Finally thread it out through eyelet 6. This side of the lace is finished.

Take your other lace that's been waiting at the top of the shoe and thread it under the right eyelets and then out eyelet 2, which should already be occupied.

Keeping that lace in your hand, bring it up and flip it over the top horizontal line between the 5th eyelets, forming the top of your five-pointed star.

Thread that lace under and down through eyelet 2, then bring it under the left side eyelets, and back out through eyelet 6.

Right shoe: complete! Tie this one the same way you tied the left (hopefully you did it yourself; it's okay to ask for help though).