The knots help us keep our shoes up, hold the laundry lines in place and allow us to sail our boats. Basically the knots are great. But when a knot goes wrong, untying it can be difficult and frustrating - especially on thin laces and threads. The thinner the thread, the harder it might be to untie a tight knot. But almost any knot can be untied with a little patience and ingenuity.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: The Basic Finger Method
Step 1. Try to understand the knot
If you are not trained in knot theory this may be difficult, but untying a knot is much easier if you know which turns and intersections hold it in place. Study it for a moment to try to determine which direction each turn should be pulled to loosen the knot.
Step 2. Leave the yarn loose from the knot
You will not be able to untie the knot if the ends outside the knot are pulled.
Step 3. Firmly grasp the knot threads with your fingertips, one in each hand
Depending on how thin the thread is, this may be impossible. If you have to, use your nails.
Step 4. Gently work the two threads back and forth until you feel them loosen
To untie a knot, you need to create some slack. Depending on how you are holding the knot, this could mean pushing instead of pulling. Be gentle but firm - Pulling too hard in the wrong direction may only tighten the knot more. Move to a few more turns until you have loosened the knot. Keep working on the knot from different angles, trying different combinations until you get one or two slower stitches.
Step 5. Firmly grasp the softer spots and untie the knot
Just make sure you don't accidentally re-tighten the knot. Pull one end of the thread through the loosened loops to untie the knot. Once the knot is opened in a series of loops that cross, the best way to untie it permanently is to cross all the loops at one end of the thread until there are no more intersections.
Method 2 of 4: The Twist and Push Method
Step 1. Twist one end of the wire as tight as you can
You want it to be so tight that the wire becomes denser and less bendable.
Step 2. Firmly push the twisted end directly into the knot
The idea is that the twisted thread will be hard enough to overcome the friction of the knot and loosen it.
Step 3. Use the game that was created to untie the knot
Once you've created some slack in the knot, you should be able to untie it normally.
Method 3 of 4: The Spoon Tap Method
Step 1. Look for a clean flat surface
Lay the knot on the surface.
Step 2. Give the knot a firm but light blow with an object
A wooden spoon is ideal. Keep twisting the knot and patting it until it loosens a little.
Step 3. Once a small gap is created, insert the tip of a pair of tweezers or scissors into the small hole
Loosen the knot gradually. It should now open.
Method 4 of 4: The Corkscrew Method
Step 1. Get a normal corkscrew
You can also use another thin metal object, such as a needle for smaller knots. Just be careful not to puncture and damage the thread.
Step 2. Insert the tip of the corkscrew between the thread and the knot
In practice at any point of the node.
Step 3. Move back and forth and twist the corkscrew inside the knot
Hopefully this will create some play.
Step 4. Pull the corkscrew to loosen the knot and untie as usual
Advice
- Make sure the laces or thread are not wet before starting, as this may make the knot tighten even more.
- Some strands are too thin to be dissolved by hand. Try using two needles and a magnifying glass to untie the knot.
