Knit a Zig-Zag Necktie

I wanted to knit a necktie, but I didn't want a boring old regular shaped one. I'malso really new at this whole knitting thing, (the only other thing I've knitted before this project was a scarf) so I wanted something simple. So this is how I made a Zig-Zag necktie using only three simple stitches.

(Sorry if my terminology is off anywhere!)

Step 1: Materials and Skills

For this project you will need:

• medium thick yarn
• knitting needles (not sure what gauge, but kinda thick)

and you will need to know (or learn, like I did) these stitches:

• the regular knit stitch
• the Knit-2-together stitch (k2tog)
• the Knit-1-front-&-back (k1f&b)

Step 2: Casting On, the Straight and Narrow

This is for the straight and narrow section of the tie that goes around your neck, it is simple but tedious.

Necktie:
 

Casting On:       Cast on 5 stitches
Rows 1-186:      Knit

Simple, right?  Now you should have a long thin strip of knitted yarn.

Step 3: Knitting the Zig-Zag

To begin the zig-zag, we need to expand the tie by 8 stitches, from 5 stitches across to 13 stitches. We'll do this with the Knit-1-front-&-back technique.

Row 187:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (6 stitches at end of this row)
Row 188:      Knit
Row 189:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (7 stitches at end of this row)
Row 190:      Knit
Row 191:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (8 stitches at end of this row)
Row 192:      Knit
Row 193:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (9 stitches at end of this row)
Row 194:      Knit
Row 195:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (10 stitches at end of this row)
Row 196:      Knit
Row 197:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (11 stitches at end of this row)
Row 198:      Knit
Row 199:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (12 stitches at end of this row)
Row 200:      Knit
Row 201:      Knit to the last stitch, k1f&b.  (13 stitches at end of this row)

Now the tie is as wide as we want it, time to change directions and start the Zig-Zag.

Row 202:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 203:      Knit.
Row 204:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 205:      Knit.
Row 206:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 207:      Knit.
Row 208:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 209:      Knit.
Row 210:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 211:      Knit.
Row 212:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 213:      Knit.
Row 214:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)
Row 215:      Knit.
Row 216:      K2tog, knit to last stitch, k1f&b. (still 13 stitches)

Now the tie has shifted over by 8 rows, which if you remember is the same amount we originally added. To continue zig-zagging simply begin Row 217 the same way you began Row 202, and repeat steps 202-216 until you reach the desired length.

Step 4: Finishing the Tie

When the tie is the desired length, it's time to close it off. (Not sure how long you made yours, so let's just pretend we are on row 261).

Row 261:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (12 stitches left in row)
Row 262:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (11 stitches left in row)
Row 263:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (10 stitches left in row)
Row 264:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (9 stitches left in row)
Row 265:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (8 stitches left in row)
Row 266:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (7 stitches left in row)
Row 267:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (6 stitches left in row)
Row 268:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (5 stitches left in row)
Row 269:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (4 stitches left in row)
Row 270:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (3 stitches left in row)
Row 271:    K2tog, knit to end of row. (2 stitches left in row)
Row 272:    K2tog. (1 stitch left in row)

Now just Bind off your last stitch, and hide the loose ends.

Your hand-Knit Zig-Zag necktie is finished!  Wear it proudly!

(Need help tying your tie, try these 'ibles: Full windsor & others.)