Twist Both Handles Outward to Close a Plastic Bag So It Still Unties

The Problem

Tying the two handles of a carrier bag in a square knot closes it, but the knot pulls down into itself as the bag gets carried. On a bag of rice, flour, or anything heavy enough to swing, that means picking at a knot the size of a pea, or giving up and cutting the handles off. Cut the handles and the bag can't be closed again.

The Technique

Start with the bag sitting upright and both handles standing up, one on each side.

1. Take the far side of the right-hand handle and twist it away from you, clockwise, so it travels around the outside of the bag and the far side ends up nearest you.
2. Do the same on the left, counterclockwise. Each twist leaves a loop standing open above the bag.
3. Put a finger through each loop.
4. Reach through the right loop and take hold of the back strand of the left handle. At the same time, reach through the left loop and take the front strand of the right handle.
5. Pull both hands apart, the way you snug an overhand knot when you tie a shoe.

The two twisted handles lock against each other and the bag is closed.