Father and Son Knit Ties
When it comes to gifts for my dad and brothers, I often find myself stumped. Thanks to Page’s Rolled Hem Handkercheifs, their pockets are chock-full of squares; and thanks to years of knitting, their heads and feet are warmed by piles of hats and socks. In need of a new go-to gift, the Father Son Knit Ties were born!
Now, my dad and brothers aren’t fancy men, but they are gentlemen of the southern variety. They don’t flinch at dressing up, and somehow even their “casual” is always quite pulled together. I think these chic and simple hand knit ties will be right at home with their refined style, dressing up jeans and a sweater or adding a kick to slacks and a blazer.
I made these ties with two gorgeous yarns, Koigu’s Premium Merino and Anzula’s Sebastian: one matte and one shiny for textural complexity and both with a sophisticated polish that makes these ties special! The Father’s Tie is in reverse stockinette with a handsome stripe, and the Son’s Tie is a sweet and easy Fair Isle pattern. Both are delightful to make, for dads and brothers or yourself! And, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoFatherAndSonTies. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Main Color (MC): 1 skein of Anzula’s Sebastian, 70% superwash merino, 30% sea cell. This is the color Seaside. (Please Note: Anzula is no longer producing Sebastian.)
- Contrast Color (CC): 2 skeins of Koigu’s Premium Merino, 100% merino. This is the color 2400.
- A set of US 2 (3 mm) double pointed needles
NOTE: This is enough yarn for one Father’s Tie and one Son’s Tie. If you are making just one of the Son’s Ties, you will only need 1 skein of each yarn, if you are making one of the Father’s Ties, you will need 2 Koigu and 1 Sebastian.. The Father’s Tie takes approximately 245 yards, and the Son’s Tie takes approximately 150 yards.
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
Son’s Tie: 40 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Father’s Tie: 40 stitches = 4 inches in reverse stockinette stitch
Sizes
Son’s Tie: 1¼-inches wide by 42-inches long
Father’s Tie: 1⅜-inches wide by 56-inches long
Pattern: Son’s Tie
Begin
Cast on 13 stitches with MC. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set up Row: K1, *k1 but before removing it from the left-hand needle, bring the yarn to the front and purl that same stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, k1. (24 stitches)
Rearranging the Stitches
Do not turn your work. Slide the stitches to the right end of the double pointed needle.
Holding two empty double pointed needles parallel to one another in your right hand, slip the first stitch onto the back needle, slip the second stitch onto the front, third onto the back, fourth onto the front, fifth onto the back. Continue in this fashion, slipping every even stitch onto the front needle and every odd stitch onto the back, until you have slipped all 24 stitches and there are 12 stitches on each needle.
Do not turn your work. Slide all the stitches to the right ends of the needles. Slip 6 stitches from the front needle onto a third double pointed needle, and slip 6 stitches from the back needle onto a fourth double pointed needle. With 6 stitches on each of four needles, use a fifth needle to begin working in the round. (After a few rounds when the work loosens up a bit, you may want to redistribute the stitches onto three needles.)
Work in the Round
* [K11, p1] 2 times, for 6 rounds.
Next Round: [K1, (k1 with CC, k3) 2 times, k1 with CC, k1, p1] 2 times.
[K11, p1] 2 times, for 6 rounds.
Next Round: [(K3, k1 with CC) two times, k3, p1] 2 times.
Repeat pattern from * until piece measures approximately 41 1/2 inches from cast on edge. Before you’ve knit too many inches, make sure to turn your tie inside out and weave in the tail of the contrast yarn.
After your last row using the CC, cut yarn and weave in end.
[K11, p1] 2 times, for 6 rounds.
Rearranging the Stitches, Again
Slip the next 12 stitches onto one double pointed needle, and slip the remaining 12 stitches onto a second double pointed needle.
Hold the two needles parallel to one another in your left hand with the working yarn coming from the back needle.
With a third needle, K1 off the back needle, k11 through both the next stitch on the front and the back needle, p1 off the front needle. (13 stitches)
Bind off purlwise.
Block, weave in your ends and you are finished!
Pattern: Father’s Tie
Begin
Using a Cable Cast On, cast on 16 stitches with MC.
Set up Row: K1, *k1 but do not remove it from the left needle, bring the yarn to the front and purl stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, k1. (30 stitches)
Rearranging the Stitches
Do not turn your work. Slide the stitches to the right end of the double pointed needle.
Holding two empty double pointed needles parallel to one another in your right hand, slip the first stitch onto the front needle, slip the second stitch onto the back, third onto the front, fourth onto the back, fifth onto the front. Continue in this fashion, slipping every even stitch onto the back needle and every odd stitch onto the front, until you have slipped all 30 stitches and there are 15 stitches on each needle.
Do not turn your work. Slide all the stitches to the right ends of the needles. Slip 7 stitches from the front needle onto a third double pointed needle, and slip 7 stitches from the back needle onto a fourth double pointed needle. With 7 stitches on each of two needles and 8 stitches on each of the other two needles, use a fifth needle to begin working in the round. (After a few rounds when the work loosens up a bit, you may want to redistribute the stitches onto three needles.)
Work in the Round
*[K1, p14] 2 times, for 11 rounds.
Next Round: [With CC, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, p14] 2 times.
Repeat from * until piece measures approximately 54 1/2 inches from cast on edge.
[K1, p14] 2 times, for 11 rounds.
Rearranging the Stitches, Again
Slip the next 15 stitches onto one double pointed needle, and slip the remaining 15 stitches onto a second double pointed needle.
Hold the two needles parallel to one another in your left hand with the working yarn coming from the back needle.
With a third needle, K1 off the back needle, p14 through both the next stitch on the back and the front needle, k1 off the front needle. (16 stitches)
Bind off knitwise.
Block, weave in your ends and you are finished!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
oh my God – I love these ties … but I can't knit 🙁 It's on my to do list this year!! Any chance of a crochet version?? I can do that!!! That would be awesome …
Regarding, “Rearranging the Stitches Again,” at the end of the “Son's Tie,” I'm getting the working yarn coming from the back needle? Unless the fabric is supposed to be inside out for this?
Very interesting cable cast on!
Thank you
How cool are these? I'm afraid they're out of my knitting league right now, but I'm definitely keeping them on my list. Have you considered putting them on Ravelry? Thanks!
Thank you very much for the great idea. 🙂
I believe my husband will like these (he usually doesn't like ties.)
Strix. You are right! the yarn should be coming from the back! Thank You. –Laura
This is my first advanced knitting project. I am having a very difficult time after the cable cast-on part. Will every stitch be *k1 until the end? Meaning that I'll knit one without removing it from the needle and then purl one. Doubling my stitches? At the end, with 30 stitches, should it only be on 1 needle? Do you ever do video tutorials? I know it is much easier for a novice like me to actually see the knitting take place. Thank you so much for this tutorial, I hope I can pull it off!
Hi Victoria. I am glad you are giving the ties a try! The first couple rows are unusual. It is a set up method typically used for double knitting. You are correct, though. Other than the first and last stitch, you will knit and purl into each stitch, doubling the number of those stitches.
We don't do video tutorials as of now, but it something that we have been discussing. Stay tuned. And good luck. -Laura
Love these ties and ordered seacell (excited to explore) for my project. Although I'm not an experienced dpn'r I can work 5 dpn's, but I am having a hard time with this 1st round. I have 6 stiches on 4 needles but cannot get them in the round? Any tips on getting them laid out right. Can u teach an old dog a new trick?
I took your advice from the previous comment, and setup as a dbl knit with 12 stitches on each parallel needle and then broke it up into 4 needles with 6 stiches. It looks much nicer, but am I accomplishing what I need for this pattern? The seacell has arrived and I love it. Thanks to you I may have a very nice Valentines Day gift.
Janice, I am so glad the Seacell arrived. It is a special yarn and I hope you feel it adds to the end product! As for the first rounds after dividing the stitches evenly… it is quite tight. In fact, the first couple rounds are going to be a little awkward. Work around your four needles as patiently as possible and I promise after that third or forth round, you will be cruising. After the sixth or so, you might even be ready to drop one of those double points and work the rest of the project using 4 total. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Best of luck! Thanks. Laura
I just recently knit the son tie and started on the father one. It looks like the father is a little different from the son. With the son, after one casts on and does the row of knitting and purling into the same stitch, the next row calls for switching to parallel needles. Now the son says to start with the back needle first and the father says to start with the front needle first. Did you do that on purpose or is it errata? I only ask because starting on the back needle first causes the cast to be on the outside and starting on the front needle causes the cast on to be inside the tie. It's not a huge thing but I was curious if that was on purpose. Thanks so much!
Hi Catherine! You have eagle eyes. That difference is intentional. The Father's Tie is in reverse stockinette, so, you want the purl stitches towards you and the knit stitches away from you, on the back needle. I hope you enjoy the pattern. You boys are going to look smashing! -Laura
I'm working on the dad's tie. You mention in the pattern that you need one skein of each for the dad's tie. But if the main color Koigu is 175 yards per skein, and it says 245 for the dad's tie, aren't I going to run out? Wondering if I should rush to get another Koigu in color 2400, although at this point it might be too late for the same dye lot… Thanks for all the great patterns.
Christine- Goodness me. Thank you for this question. You are absolutely right. The Father Tie requires two skeins of Koigu! -Laura
Hi!
I love the father's tie but am pretty new to knitting. I managed to get all 4 needles set up, but I cannot figure out how to simply “start knitting in the round.” Can anyone help??
1) How do I know which order to knit the needles in?
2) Do I strictly knit all stiches from 1 needle at a time? Because they're interlaced, it turns into a big knot after I try to knit more than twice. How do I slip the left loop without it getting caught in the interlaced ones?
Help!!
Thank you!!
Hi Jess,
The set up for the ties are a pinch tricky if you have never worked in the round on double points before. I think this tutorial would really help you 'start knitting in the round' https://www.purlsoho.com/create/double-pointed-needles-tutoria/
Thanks for writing in and pleas let us know if you have any more questions! –Laura
Hi, I'm working on the Father's tie, and I keep getting stuck right after I have split up the stitches onto 4 needles. I don't know how to organize the needles into a round shape to begin knitting in the round. Two needles share the same “spine,” so how would I form the round? Also, is there a joining step that I'm missing?
Hello Simone. Sorry the pattern is giving you trouble. There is no joining step that you are missing. Essentially, after this cast on you split the stitches into front stitches and back stitches then split each of these in to two, then knit around the 4 double points using a 5th double pointed needle. It will be tight and a bit uncomfortable for a couple rounds and then should start to take shape and ease a bit. Hope this helps –Laura
Hi. On the father's tie, I am just about to start using the CC, but I don't understand how to integrate the new color. I've tied it to my MC so that I can carry on the color, but slipping the stitch pwise wyib doesn't create a useable loop or anything…
Thanks
Hi Leah, this step is a little tricky. I used the middle finger of my left hand to hold down the tail of the CC yarn while I continued to work the next few stitches to make sure a loop is created. Let me know if you have any more troubles. -Laura
HI. I am also having trouble working in the round. I am fairly certain that I got the steps leading up to that right. The part I am confused about is how am I supposed to go about knitting in the round when my needles don't make a square. They are all just pointing up and down. I hope this makes since. I love this pattern and have tried multiple times to make it. I just can't seem to figure it out. I hope you can help!!
Hi Again Michelle. (I saw your comment on the other page, thank you for the additional information). The first few rounds are quite tight. The key is to make sure you have your needles and stitches situated correctly. While initially the needles will not be able to make a square, after a few rows they will be. At the beginning, try to imagine them as making a square. Work across the two needles on the one side and then across the two needles on the oposite side. Continue doing this and very soon the piece will loosen a bit and your needles will feel less awkward and you'll be cruising knitting in the round.
I do hope this helps.
Laura
Such a beautiful pattern and I'm giving it a shot! Am so confused when we start knitting in the round (have never done it on dpn). Am I supposed to join the round? And which direction do I start to knit? Im totally lost and any help would be appreciated! Thanks.
Hi Margaret.
Thank you for the compliment. I am glad you like the ties. I will say the start of these is a little tricky, especially if you have not worked in the round on double pointed needles before. For a great tutorial, see this link: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/double-pointed-needles-tutoria/
I think once you get the hang of knitting on double points, the ties will go up quite quickly! This is an unusual cast-on method, so there isn't a typical joining in the round, but yes you work in the round after re-organizing your stitches onto the 4 needles.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can try to help with.
Thanks for writing in,
Laura
My goodness these are taking me forever! Great pattern though. Mine might be a little thick. All I had were size 3 needles… had to make it work!
I love these! They look a little advanced for me, but I'm going to give it a shot. I did want to ask, though, about the quantity of yarn. I'd like to make both ties, but I'd like both to be the longer length. It sounds like maybe I'd need an extra skein of each? Just wanted to check before I order.
Thanks!
Hi Rachel-
I think you'll probably be OK just getting an extra skein of the Koigu and sticking with one skein of the Sebastian.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
The concept behind the pattern is genius, purling in the round with a knit stitch on either end ensures that these look and feel like ties and not mere knitted strips! I do have a question: I want to gradually decrease the tie's width so I end up with a tail end that's narrower, any suggestions? I'm thinking of starting the decreases about half way through the pattern (I'm doing the father tie) and ending up with a narrower width of a little over 1 inch. Is there a neat way to do the decreases so I won't mess up the nice shape of the knit stitches?
Thanks so much!
I love the shop and all of the patterns throughout the years.
Hi Alexis.
If I was going to decrease to narrow the tie I think I would do a ssk before the knit stitch and a k2tog after the knit stitch, on both sides of course.
There aren't too too many stitches to play with, so perhaps a decrease round ever few inches or so after you've done half of the tie.
I think it's a great idea.
Oh, another commenter suggested turning the Reversible Stripe Scarf into a tie, just for another tie idea: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/reversible-stripes-scarf/
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
I love the ties and want to make the son's pattern and similar color; but for a size more like the father's. I am using the # of stitches for the father's. My problem is I can't figure out what to do after the cable cast on. I cast on 16 stitches. “set up Row” starts with one knitted stitch which remains in the same needle where the cable cast is, correct? after that when I *knit1 but do not remove it from the left needle; I think I get that, but when I “purl the stitch” it seems like the yarn gets all twisted. Is that correct? and then does it get pulled off to the needle on the right hand? or do all 30 stitches remain on the needle where the original 16 cable cast stitches are? I can't quite get this knit/purl combination. Please explain. Angela
Hi Angela,
I am so glad you are doing this project. I am sorry for any frustration.
First of all… I removed the “cable cast on” portion of the first row. Just cast on with your preferred method. This was a typo, my apologies.
Next… For the Set Up Row… you knit the first stitch normally, then, you knit into the next stitch and before slipping it off the left-hand needle, you bring the yarn to the fron and purl into that same stitch, after that you slip it off the needle as normal.
Does that help clarify it at all? I will add some more description to this line of pattern if you would find it helpful.
Let me know how this goes and if the rest works out for you!
Thanks for writing in.
Laura
Thank you so much Laura! this really helps and I actually got off to a pretty good start. The pattern and the whole concept of starting the tie off already closed off on the bottom part is really clever. I also love how the sides are coming out! no tendency to twist or anything like that. I love the website too! Angela
Hi!
I am almost finished with the fathers tie, and I have a question about one of the final steps, where it says “With a third needle, K1 off the back needle, p14 through both the next stitch on the back and the front needle, k1 off the front needle. (16 stitches)”. Am i purling two stitches, one from each needle, together at the same time? Or one at a time alternating between needles? Will I be working with all stitches on only one needle after this step? Thanks so much for the help!!!
Joanna
Hi Joanna.
You will purl two stitches together at the same time, one from the back need and one from the front needle. And, yes, you will be working with all the stitches on only one needle after this step.
You are so welcome for the help!
Please keep writing to us!
Laura
Hi Linda.
This is an unusual cast on. It is usually used for double knitting, which isn't done here, but this technique does provide a nicely grafted-looking edge. Anyway…
Once you have divided your stitches across the 4 needles, you'll begin working with the stitch beyond where your working yarn is.
It is going to be uncomfortable for a few rounds, but it will improve.
Laura
I am a new knitter and would like to try this pattern. My son asked me to knit him a tie, and this is the nicest pattern I've found.
My question is, can you suggest an inexpensive yarn substitution for my first attempt at this tie?
Thanks,
Kym
Hi Kym,
Here is a link to all our fingering weights: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters%5B%5D=3
You could use two colors of Koigu, it's a great yarn… https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/410-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Koigu-Premium-Merino-KPM
As a side note, a reader of ours mentioned how great the Reversible Stripe Scarf pattern would be as a tie pattern. You could use this pattern, with a smaller cast on number. http://purlbee.squarespace.com/the-purl-bee/2013/1/17/lauras-loop-reversible-stripes-scarf.html
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
I've been working at the father's tie for over two weeks now and it's driving me mad how slow the progress is going! Was hoping to finish it for my boyfriend's sister's wedding but unfortunately can't. Any reason why it's taking this long? I am knitting every day any moment I can grab, but such slow progress!! 🙁
Hi K.,
Yes, this project does take quite a bit of time. It's no quick knit. It took me a while to make these two. I cannot remember how long exactly, but I do remember being surprised by the speed of progress.
I am sorry this has caused frustration for you.
Laura
This project works great with the magic loop method. It has taken a long time to get to 54" – and now my husband tells me it needs to be a few inches longer! I'm going to aim for a total length of 57".
Laura, I am rather new but am having success tackling this project. However, I cannot make the transition from the picture showing the four needles with stitches cast on- to the four needles in a square position. I've read the directions over and over and watched Youtube videos of working in the round with DPNs til I'm dizzy, but my four needles connect at the top- two side by side connecting to the other two side by side- at the top. I have the tail hanging down one set of doubles on the bottom, and the working yarn on the other set of doubles at the bottom. After your directions to slide 7 stitches onto needle #3 and then 7 stitches onto needle #4, you just say to begin working in the round. I tried knitting one row on the first needle, but I don't see which needle to go to next. Can you provide some clarity as to how I transition to working in the round? Thanks. (I also am just using a single color and I learned if you want a stockinette stitch and I am working in the round then I should only knit and not purl. (Correct?) Thanks again.
Hi Carleen.
You are correct, stockinette stitch in the round means always knitting, no purling.
As for working on double points. Here is a tutorial for the basics:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-working-rnd/2008/7/25/double-pointed-needles.html
This project is most definitely not the friendliest one for learning knitting in the round. It is an unusual method for the cast on and then transitioning to working in the round. The first few rounds are quite tight feeling so I understand that it might heighten uncertainty.
Perhaps practice working in the round before you begin, just so you have the hang of it. Then when you do make the transition from the cast on stitches to work in the round on this project you'll have the confidence.
I hope this helps.
Laura
Laura, After my last post- I knitted the first row of the first needle where my working yarn was attached, but, again, I have no clue which needle to go to next. The tutorial you posted does not resemble this project at all. The four needles in this project are connected at one end in the back- two needles back to back with the other two connected by a yarn bridge at one end. I see no way to work that into a square framework. I could begin this project all over again using the normal DPN in the round technique which is shown in that video (and many others on YouTube…), but I really wanted to be able to follow through with the success I have had so far on your project.
As I mentioned, I knitted on to the first needle, which had eight stitches. Should I skip over to one of the needles with seven stitches somehow? With the ease, now a days, of posting a video, it would be a HUGE help if you could do that to demonstrate how we can make the transition to knitting in the round after we have distributed the stitches accurately on all four needles. Thank you so much for any help you can give. I am determined to do this and do it well.
Hi Carleen,
Thank you for the recommendation. We have many videos on our to-do list and unfortunately this is not near the top. We will try to get to it when we can.
As I mentioned this project uses an unusual transition from this cast on to the first round of circular knitting. That is why I think it best if you get some experience with another project to practice knitting in the round before trying to tackle this one.
Once you knit the first needle, you work the stitches on the needle to left of the first needle. Then, then you'll have to rotate your work a bit to continue working the stitches to the left. Once you've worked the stitches on all four needles, then you've worked a full round.
Laura
Hi! I am new to knitting and thought that this tie was going so well! But, I just finished row 11 and am not sure about my work……..1. Should the cast on thread excess be on the inside or outside? I am thinking that it may be inside out…..2. I'm thinking that my knit stitches are supposed to be on ether end………mine are in the middle!! What do you think happened? Something when I transitioned to the round? Should I correct my error on the next round and make this end the back of the tie? Thank you so much!
Hi Julianne,
1. The cast on thread can easily be brought to the inside of your work with a tapestry needle. I believe mine was on the outside as well and I wove it in on the inside.
2. The knit stitches are supposed to be on the two ends. I am not sure how yours ended up in the middle. Probably something went awry while transitioning from the cast on to working in the round. I would go back and correct this mistake because those knit stitches are going to create a crease and prevent the tie from laying flat how you'd want.
You are welcome so much.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Thank you so much! I just pulled it apart – painful! I'm about to start again – your cable cast on link describes casting on mid-project via the wrong side. I am thinking that I should cast onto my left needle with "tie on thread" dangling all the way on the left of this needle. Is this correct? Just want to make sure I get I right this time! I wish I was interested in knitting when I lived in NYC! I sent my sister in law to your store today. Love it, thanks!!
Hi Julianne!
Aw, I'm sorry we missed you when you were living in NY. That's great you're sending your sister over.
To cable cast on at the beginning of a project, make a slip knot (like you would with a long tail cast on) and slip it on your left needle, that's one stitch. With your right needle, knit into that stitch, pull the loop through, twist it and then place it onto the left needle. Now you have two stitches. For the remaining stitches, rather than going into a stitch, go between them (like in the tutorial)…
Let me know if you'd like more direction. I'll put the cable cast on on our list of videos to make!
Laura
Laura – success!!!! Thank you so much for your help! I was very care to begin the tie when our young children were napping – no distractions!
I'm now about to add the contrast color and am not sure what to do. 1. will there be a tail on either end of each line of cc or does each line of contrast color connect inside the tie?
Also the picture shows two rows of cc – I am new to knitting, 2. will purling one round create two lines of cc or is there a typo?
Going to google and look around your site on how do this next step but would really appreciate your help!
Hi Julianna,
1. Yes, there will be tails for each round of that uses the contrast yarn. The rounds using cc are too far apart to carry the yarn up along the inside.
2. Yes, purling the one round will create what looks like two stripes.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Laura
Hi there,
Thank you for the lovely designs – my brother in law, a tie-fanatic, is going to love this for Christmas!
My question is about that little extra stretch that appears at the edge stitches when knitting in the round. Once I rearranged to three dps, I noticed what looked almost like a pantyhose run up both sides of the tie (at the point when I join from one needle to another). Is there a way to prevent this?
Hi Amber,
You are welcome. Glad you like the designs on our site.
Gaps between stitches between double pointed needles are called ladders sometimes (because you can see the horizontal yarn stretching from one column of stitches to th next). These ladders can be prevented. If one round, every few rounds, you work the first stitch off the next needle onto your working needle (rather than the empty needle) this will shift the last / first stitch of each double pointed needle, helping to keep a consistent tension across all your stitches. Also, blocking will help too.
Thanks,
Laura
I recently learned how to knit and thought this might be out of my skill level but after a few tries I have finally got it! Thank you for this great tutorial!
Hello! Great pattern as always, and free at that, love you guys. But I have a question; can you describe how I would do the slip stitch area (after the increases) on magic loop?
PS My daughter adores her toddler socks. 😉
Hi Katrina,
I asked out resident Magic Loop expert, Thomas, to field this question. Below is what he said. Please let us know if you have any questions!
Laura
I find that the slipping part actually makes a little more sense on magic loop. Here's how I would do it:
-follow the directions for the cast on and increases.
-slip all stitches to a stitch holder or a double point needle
-fold long circular needle (the one to be used for magic loop) in half and follow the directions for slipping the stitches to either end of the circular needle alternatively. (You can imagine in the first picture after "rearranging the stitches", that the cord of the needle is off the picture to the right.)
-skip all directions about slipping to four needles (anything after the second picture)
-join to knit in the round as usual for magic loop following directions after "work in the round."
NOTE: later in the pattern you can do the three needle bind off right off the end of the two tips of the circular needle… No rearranging needed. You just need a separate needle of the same size (double point or any type laying around works… It could probably even be one size up to assist with binding off loosely).
Hi, this is an interesting pattern, the first I found using the double knit which is pretty tricky to get started. I'm very good at knitting in the round and I fear that I may have made some sort of error in that first round. I'm not too concerned since it isn't that noticeable but I would highly suggest having someone in the know help anyone who is not used to knitting in the round.
My question is…I am using only 1 color. After the initial 11 rounds, do I follow the next set of instructions: "Next Round: [With CC, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, p14] 2 times"…I'm wondering if the slip 1 purlwise is to just get the new color started? I can't tell if this first stitch would be knitted if I were keeping with the same color yarn. Thanks for your help!
Hi Denise,
Thank you for your feedback. The start of this project is a bit peculiar. I wanted to introduce a new technique and have a clean seam at the base of the tie. It has raise questions though. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
As for the slip 1 purlwise with the CC… you are correct, this is to avoid having the CC in the column of knit stitches along the two sides. If you are working in all one color, you can knit that first and 16th stitch.
Thanks for writing in.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Laura
I’d say I’m a pretty intermediate knitter and there is just no way I can knit these ties. 🙁 The DPNs at the beginning are so incredibly unmanageable that I’m almost amazed anyone would deal with them. So sad because I love love love Purl Bee patterns. Maybe when I get better. :/
Hi Aubrey-
I’m so sorry to hear you’re having trouble with this pattern. Double pointed needles can be confusing but unfortunately they are necessary when knitting such a small circumference. If there is anything specific you’re having trouble with we’d be happy to help walk you through it! And, if you’re not totally ready to give up you might want to check out our double pointed needle tutorial here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/07/25/double-pointed-needles/
Thank you and please do let us know if you’d like more help with this!
Molly
Any chance you can do a video of getting started with the 4 needles. I have knitted in the round and just seem to be stuck. I get up to work in the round, but I can not tell where to start. Thank you!
Hello Cindy,
Thank you for reaching out! We do not currently have a video for working with double pointed needles, but I will happily pass along your request. In the mean here is an in-depth picture tutorial: Double Pointed Needles
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi there, I just started making the Father tie last night. Is the CC thread supposed to be broken after each CC row? If so, do you just weave them in as you go?
Hi Lisa H.
Yes, you cut the CC thread after each CC row. And weaving them in as you go is definitely easiest. Or you can turn the piece inside out before you bind off and weave them all in then. Thanks.
Laura
Thanks so much for the clarification, Laura!
I prefer doing everything with magic loop. Do you have instructions for the cast on using the magic loop method rather than double point needles?
I love your tie patterns and hope to start the Father’s tie soon.
Hi Lisa.
Unfortunately, right now, we only have the instructions that you see here on the pattern page.
Thanks for writing in.
Best,
Laura
Hi,
I am very excited to make these ties. Could you suggest how I can create a point at the bottom of the tie instead of having it be flat?
Thank you!
Hi Tali.
Great question! You could begin with fewer stitches and then increase at the beginning of each round and at the half way point of each round until you have the desired number of stitches.
If you start with 4 (6) stitches for the son (father) tie and had a marker at the beginning of the round as well as at the half way point, then you could work…
Increase Round: [K1, m1L, knit to marker, m1R] 2 times. (4 stitches increased)
Repeat Increase Round four (five) more times. 24 (30) stitches
Then continue pattern as written.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Laura
J adore votre site et j ai tricoté pas mal de vos modèles. En ce qui concerne ces cravates j en ai faite une pour mon fils et tous ses amis m en réclament!
Plutôt que tricoter en rond j ai choisi de la faire en mailles doubles ( tricoter une maille; passer la suivante fil devant et au rang suivant inverser la maille non tricotée. )
Le résultat est parfait
Cela va peut-être rassurer celles qui hésitent à tricoter en rond
Mille mercis
CL
trouble figuring out the beginning- not sure if I’m doing this right. I got as far as knit/purling the set up row and rearranging all the stitches, and now have two sets of two needles with stitches connected across them…can’t figure out how to arrange the needles in the round
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for writing us! I believe you are all set to knit in the round but here is some review: After rearranging your stitches, slip six stitches (starting from the right most stitch) from the front needle on to a third needle. Do the same for the back needle stitches. Start knitting in the round, knitting counter clockwise. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
What is the point of slipping the stitches onto the four different needles in the way you’ve suggeste? I’m having a very hard time with it! Will it change the look if I just slip the stitches how I would normally, sliding them off the right end of the needle onto another one?
Hi Emma,
Thank you for writing us! After you have rearranged your cast on, you’ll be left with two parallel needles, which can’t be knit unless redistributed. We redistribute the stitches on to four needles because four needles are easier to work with than three with such a cast on. If you are having a hard time because you are a lefty, then you can always turn the work and redistribute!
Best,
Adam
Hi! I know this is an older pattern, and the Anzula Sebastian yarn has been discontinued. Do you have any recommendations for an alternative to the Sebastian yarn? Thanks so much!
Hi Jess,
Sorry for the late reply! I suggest looking at Jade Sapphire’s Khata. It’s the most like Sebastian and actually has a better hand-feel in my opinion. With the amount of yardage you get in the Khata you can make many many ties!
Best of luck!
-Adam
Hi there- it looks like the Khata is also discontinued now! Do you have any other suggestions? would linen quill work for either of these patterns? I’m working through some surplus…
Hello Lillian,
Thank you for reaching out! Linen Quill will work beautifully with this project.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
JI do not see directions for the Father’s tie and that is the one I want to knit. Thank you Julie
Hi Julie!
Thank you for writing in! The directions for the Father’s Tie are toward the end of the post, but I’ll post them here, too.
“PATTERN: FATHER’S TIE
BEGIN
Using a Cable Cast On, cast on 16 stitches with MC.
Set up Row: K1, *k1 but do not remove it from the left needle, bring the yarn to the front and purl stitch, repeat from * to last stitch, k1. (30 stitches)
REARRANGING THE STITCHES
Do not turn your work. Slide the stitches to the right end of the double pointed needle.
Holding two empty double pointed needles parallel to one another in your right hand, slip the first stitch onto the front needle, slip the second stitch onto the back, third onto the front, fourth onto the back, fifth onto the front. Continue in this fashion, slipping every even stitch onto the back needle and every odd stitch onto the front, until you have slipped all 30 stitches and there are 15 stitches on each needle.
Do not turn your work. Slide all the stitches to the right ends of the needles. Slip 7 stitches from the front needle onto a third double pointed needle, and slip 7 stitches from the back needle onto a fourth double pointed needle. With 7 stitches on each of two needles and 8 stitches on each of the other two needles, use a fifth needle to begin working in the round. (After a few rounds when the work loosens up a bit, you may want to redistribute the stitches onto three needles.)
WORK IN THE ROUND
*[K1, p14] 2 times, for 11 rounds.
Next Round: [With CC, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, p14] 2 times.
Repeat from * until piece measures approximately 54 1/2 inches from cast on edge.
[K1, p14] 2 times, for 11 rounds.
REARRANGING THE STITCHES, AGAIN
Slip the next 15 stitches onto one double pointed needle, and slip the remaining 15 stitches onto a second double pointed needle.
Hold the two needles parallel to one another in your left hand with the working yarn coming from the back needle.
With a third needle, K1 off the back needle, p14 through both the next stitch on the back and the front needle, k1 off the front needle. (16 stitches)
Bind off knitwise.
Block, weave in your ends and you are finished!”
Please let us know if you have further questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Why can’t I knit the tie on a circular needle? Arthritis has made my fingers pretty stiff and hard to navigate four needles. Are there any patterns for ties using a circular needle or just two needles. I would really like to have one – or more. Barb Burlison
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for the question. I am not sure they make circular needles with a small enough cord length to knit this tie. You can try knitting the tie using the magic loop method or on two circular needles. I’d YouTube these techniques if you don’t know what I mean. Thanks!
Adam
Hi there!
I am not sure if anyone has posted this question on here but I was wondering is it possible to make the son tie for an adult? I’m pretty new to knitting and would like to take this on but I am not sure if I can convert the son tie to an adult tie. Thank you!
Best,
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly knit the son tie for an adult! The easiest way to do so is to knit to the length of the father tie. This will create a slightly thinner tie that is the correct length.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Could you write the pattern using two circular needles? One would not need to rearrange any stitches and that is where I get all confused.
Thanks so much.
BTW, would you know where to look for a bow tie that I’d like to knit but the guy wants it to be like a tie, where he can tie it himself. It is a bit past my “pay grade” knowing where to increase and decrease to make it look like a bow.
Hi Yvonne,
Thanks for writing in and for the suggestion! We will certainly keep it in mind! Two circs could work well here as would magic loop! sadly I do not know of a knitted bow tie pattern. You may have some luck on Ravelry. There certainly should be one out there in the world!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
It looks like you no longer carry the Anzula Sebastian (is that right?). Do you have a recommendation for a yarn replacement?
Thank you!
Hello Chelsea,
Thank you for reaching out! I think Anzula’s Squishy would be a lovely replacement for this pattern.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hi, I am trying to knit this tie with Quince and Co sparrow. I am having trouble once I need to redistribute the stitches to the four needles. I got it to where needles one and two have eight stitches and needles three and four have seven stitches (per your instructions). I cannot figure out how to knit the stitches off needle two after needle one without completely twisting the work. Am I thinking too much into how you numbered the additional two needles and should this just be knit like a normal in the round pattern? Or is the way you want me to know off these needles integral in creating the seam? I made this pattern years ago and I can’t remember how I got it to work.
Thank you
Hello Jess,
Thank you for reaching out! This should be knit normally in the round. You will want to use a fifth needle to begin working in the round. (After a few rounds when the work loosens up a bit, you may want to redistribute the stitches onto three needles.)
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’m in the process of knitting the father’s tie and I think it looks ok when knotted but it’s quite thick and also probably a bit too wide to fit under a collar. Is this something that can be fixed with blocking? Any tips on how to salvage this? I’m already 4 feet in and don’t want to give up! Thank you!!
Hello Karen,
Thank you for reaching out! When blocking I would reccomend pinning it out to be thinner.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I am not new to using dp needles but this was a challenge.
Maybe because the work is so small.
I found it easier to keep track of the stitches using needles of two different colors. So one side of the tie is one color and the other is another. Hope this helps. Don’t give up! ^. ^
Hi there! I’m having an issue with ladders between the knit and purl stitches. Any advice?
Hi Tse,
Thanks for reaching out! Laddering can easily happen when working in the round, but luckily I have a few tips to help avoid it! My first tip is to pul the first stitch of the new needle tight, that can solve the problem but also pulling the second stitch tightly can also help even out the tension and avoid laddering. I also recommend Blocking the ties after you finish knitting! That can help you close up the ladders by redistributing the the stitches!
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello nice pattern that I would like to knit for my son. My question is: Can I use Judy’s magic cast on or short needles like I would for knitting socks
Thank you
Diane from Canada
Hi Diane,
Thanks for reaching out! We used Five US #2 double pointed needles for this project, but you could also use magic loop for this!
I hope this helps!
Gianna
Thank you so much for responding. I will try with the magic loop method since I never knitted with 4 needles.
I will let you know how it works.
Diane
Love the pattern, but the cast-on is a bit confusing… could one just do the Turkish cast-on or Judy’s magic cast-on for the joined bottom of the tie, as when casting on for a toe-up sock cast on?
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Yes, you can absolutely use a Turkish cast-on or Judy’s magic cast-on for this project!
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Carly