This Tie Had Me in Knots

A few months ago I was looking for a knitted tie pattern. I found a few ties that were being sold, but not a pattern. After a while of going down the internet rabbit hole of knitting websites and blogs I finally found a pattern, but I didn't love it. There was nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't the image that I had in my head.

However, I went ahead and started on this pattern. I assumed that it would grow on me and maybe it would look better in person than it did online. But, I was wrong. I still didn't like it. This tie pattern was a rectangle and did not look enough like a tie to me. Personally I think that ties should always come to that point at the bottom. Without that point can I even call it a tie? It looks more like a very narrow scarf. As a hand knitted scarf it would have the tendency to look more like a scarf, so I wanted to move away from that.

Snake Tie

I decided at this point that I would use this pattern, but I would make it my own and start it as a point. This was an utter disaster. In the end it looked like neither a tie or a narrow scarf. It most closely resembled a snake or an extremely narrow tube sock. It just ended up being a funny looking puffed up tube that had a pointed end. My husband had pointed out while I was knitting that it needed to be flatter, but I had stubbornly pressed on. 

Back to the drawing board for me and my tie idea. My husband was right I needed a flatter design. But, how to accomplish this was the problem. I didn't want to do it in straight stockinette because then the edges would roll and that would be just as bad as the snake tube.

I wanted the tie to not only look good, but to also be recognizable. I don't often wear ties, so obviously this would be a gift for someone else. There is nothing worse than to gift a handmade item and to have the receiver be confused about what it is or how to use it.

I started brainstorming some ideas, but nothing was working out the way that I was planning. It was then that I took a step back and decided to take a break. Sometimes ideas come to me the quickest when I am not thinking about them.

This is exactly what happened this time. It was during this break that an idea hit me and all the pieces seemed to fall into place. I had made some pot holders a few years ago using a technique called Double Knitting. Basically with this technique you knit both sides the project at the same time. Often with two contrasting colors. In the end both sides are stockinette, but the item lays flat.

As soon as I thought of this technique I realized that I could adapt it to be pointed at the start and widen out to whatever width I wanted (I made my first one a little too wide and have corrected this in the pattern). After several attempts I finally got the look that I was desiring.

One of the best part of using Double Knitting is that I was able to easily add color. All the color changes are done in the middle, so they will never see the light of day. This is how the Reversible Men's Tie pattern was created. Look for this and other patterns on the pattern page of this blog. You can also find this pattern by following this link Reversible Men's Tie.

It works with variegated or striping yarn too.

In this pattern I have included the charts for making the same design. Adding a little bit of color to each side. However, I have also included written instructions without any color changes. This would produce a tie that is solid on either side, but has a border of both colors.

The main reason for including the written instructions is that I hope others adapt it and use what ever design they want. I want these instructions to be used as a blank canvas because that is how I view most patterns. They are a guide and not the law. I like to make my own changes and adapt them whenever I feel like it.

I am excited to finally put this pattern out there for others to see. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. If you try it put a picture in the comments or post to my Facebook page  Joy with Yarn.

Also if you do try this please check your gauge. Don't be like me and end up with a tie that is too thick and unwearable. The knot on one of the ties that I made is just ridiculously large.

Now I'm off to knit some more. I'm thinking that in the future I'll make a tie and sock set. Maybe I'll even see about adding some texture. We shall see. My list of project ideas and things I should make keeps getting longer and longer.                     

My Big Comfy Chair

"Who made this big mess?" If you are a 90's child like me then you might remember Loonette saying this phrase at the end of every episode of The Big Comfy Couch. Every time she asked it the answer was the same. She was always the one who made that mess.

For those of you who may not be familiar with this show let me give a quick run down. Loonette was a clown with a clown doll named Molly. Loonette and Molly spent most of their time on this huge green floral couch. This couch must have been somewhat magical. It always had what they needed deep within the cushions, but they still thought it was comfortable. Need a tennis racket, tutu, jump rope, or rubber chicken? Chances are the couch would have it.

However, Loonette would never seem to find what she needed on the first try. This would result in Loonette creating a huge mess that she wouldn't remember at the end of the episode. After some prompting she would realize that it was her fault and that she would have to clean it up. Then she would do what she called a "ten second tidy" and run around cleaning. Click on the video above to watch one of her famous fast cleanings. 

 Me and the mess ended up on the floor. 

Recently I have been relating to Loonette. I have a big red chair in my living room. This chair is where I tend to do most of my knitting. It is close to bookshelf where I keep a lot of supplies. Although I didn't plan it, this chair has become my knitting chair. So much so that my husband is shocked when I choose to knit somewhere else.

I also find myself mentally asking "Who made this big mess?". Of course I always know the answer will be me. And I can also figure this out without an nod from an invisible person. I am the one who let my knitting spread to the back of the chair, the arms, under the arms, and on floor in front of the chair. This happens especially when I am working on chart or need to write down corrections. When I am writing a pattern as I am knitting the mess gets even more out of hand. I guess I need more room and just spread out. Then the laziness sets in. Why would I take the time to put everything away nice and neat when I will just need it the next day. Unlike Loonette I can never do a ten second tidy.

This isn't even all the mess. 

I am even starting to look more and more like Loonette. I draw the line at the red nose. If that happens I might have to loose the comfy chair and keep a neat work area. As you can see from the picture I like to keep all of my supplies close at hand. At times that can make my corner of the living room look like an explosion from small yarn store. I have finished projects, yarn, knitting needles, current projects, scissors tapestry needles, a notebook, and more. Everything I need is right there. Occasionally I might even have to pull something out from under the cushions just like Loonette. This happens even more when I am using double pointed needles. I can never knit with them without loosing a needle or stitch marker for at least a minute or so. 

As you might have guessed, I made a hat specifically for this picture. However, it is a new original design that is a great weekend project. It can also be worn with or without those pigtails. I started it on Thursday and was finished before the end of the day on Saturday.

I am hoping to upload the pattern soon. In fact I like it so much that I am working on a matching infinity scarf. Follow this blog and my Facebook page @Joywithyarn1 to be the first to see new posts and patterns.