Decorative lacing
Hash Lacing: How to Lace Shoes with a Hash Pattern
Hash Lacing is a bold decorative shoelace pattern made from overlapping diagonal sections that resemble the lines of a hash symbol.
It looks far more intricate than traditional Criss Cross Lacing, but the secret is a simple repeating pattern: work the laces upwards, back down, then upwards again.
Difficulty
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Medium
Time
5โ10 mins
Best for
Trainers, casual shoes, high-top shoes & skate shoes
Lace length
120 - 140cm per lace
The result is a striking woven effect that adds texture and interest to trainers and casual shoes. It works particularly well with contrasting shoelaces, where the overlapping lines really stand out against the shoe.
Watch the video tutorial
Overview
Watch Lindsay, Chief Laceologist at Love Your Laces, demonstrate Hash Lacing step by step. Youโll learn how to create the repeating up-two, back-one pattern that gives this decorative lacing style its distinctive overlapping look, plus how to adjust the finished laces so your hash shapes sit neatly across the shoe.
It may look intricate, but once you get into the rhythm, Hash Lacing is surprisingly easy to create.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Time required: 5โ10 mins
- Best for: Trainers, casual shoes, high-top shoes & skate shoes
- Lace length: 120 - 140cm per lace
The Story Behind This Style
Hash Lacing is one of those patterns that looks complicated enough to make people wonder ...... how you did it.
Its appeal comes from repetition. Long diagonal crossings are combined with shorter return sections, creating a layered pattern that looks almost woven across the shoe.
It is a great example of what the Lace Library is all about: taking something as simple as a pair of shoelaces and discovering just how much you can do with them.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow each step to create this lace pattern.
1
Step One: Start at the bottom
Thread both ends of the shoelace up through the bottom eyelets, so the lace ends emerge on top of the shoe. Pull the laces through until both ends are an even length.
2
Step Two: Create the first long cross
Take one lace diagonally across the shoe, skipping an eyelet, and feed it through the eyelet further up on the opposite side. Repeat with the other lace in the opposite direction. You should now have your first pair of long diagonals crossing over the shoe.
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Step Three: Bring the first lace back down
Take each lace back down one eyelet on the same side. This shorter diagonal begins to create the distinctive overlapping Hash pattern.
4
Step Four: Repeat on the other side
Do the same with the other lace, bringing it back down one eyelet on the same side. You are about the begin the hash sign
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Step Five: Work Upwards Again
Take the laces diagonally upwards again, skipping an eyelet as before. Keep the lace sections lying flat as they cross one another.
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Step Six: Continue the Pattern
Repeat the same sequence as you work your way up the shoe: up two, back one. Once you find the rhythm, the pattern is surprisingly straightforward.
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Step Seven: Finish at the Top
Continue the repeating pattern until you reach the final eyelets. Gently pull through any excess lace and make sure the tension feels even on both sides.
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Step Eight: Straighten the Pattern
Adjust the overlapping sections so the diagonals sit neatly together and the repeating Hash shapes are clearly visible. Tuck your laces inside your shoes and your Hash Lacing is complete.
The History of This Style
Unlike traditional Criss Cross Lacing, Hash Lacing # is best thought of as a decorative variation rather than a lacing method with a clearly documented historical origin.
Its name comes from the visual effect created by the overlapping diagonal sections, which resemble the intersecting lines of the # hash symbol.
Did You Know?
The finished pattern looks complicated, but Hash Lacing is built from one repeating idea: up two eyelets, back one.
Once you've completed the first section, most of the rest is simply repeating the same movement up the shoe.
Shop Laces That Work Beautifully
Choose a lace colour and style that helps this pattern look its best.
Laceologist's Style Tip
Go for contrast.
Hash Lacing deserves to be seen. Try a lace that contrasts with the colour of your shoe - like the dark brown against the cream shoe in this tutorial - to make those overlapping diagonals really stand out.
A patterned or brightly coloured lace could make the effect even bolder.
Lindsay, Chief Laceologist
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about this lacing style.
Is Hash Lacing difficult?
It looks more complicated than it actually is. Once you understand the repeating up-two, back-one movement, the pattern becomes much easier to follow.
What shoes are best for Hash Lacing?
It works particularly well on trainers and casual lace-up shoes with enough eyelets to show the repeating pattern clearly.
Does Hash Lacing need longer shoelaces?
It can use more lace than a simple Criss Cross pattern because of the longer diagonals and overlapping sections. If your existing laces are already quite short, you may need a longer pair.
What colour shoelaces work best?
Contrasting colours are particularly effective because they make the Hash pattern easier to see.
Can I use patterned shoelaces for Hash Lacing?
Absolutely. A patterned lace will create an even more decorative effect, although a solid contrasting colour can make the structure of the pattern particularly clear.
Is Hash Lacing good for everyday wear?
Yes, although its main attraction is decorative. If you're looking primarily for a secure, practical lacing method, one of the more traditional Lace Library styles may be more suitable.
Happy Lacing!
It looks wonderfully intricate, but once you master that simple repeating pattern, itโs surprisingly easy to create. Try it with a contrasting or colourful pair of laces and really let those overlapping lines stand out.
Explore the Lace Library for even more ways to transform your shoes, one lace at a time.
I'm Lindsay, Chief Laceologist at Love Your Laces.
Until next time... Happy Lacing!