Necktie Knots

Making Necktie knots - perhaps the second most difficult task the modern man has, after making wives happy. Of course the classic movie scene shows the wife helping the husband adjust the knot and go to work. But that is one way of showing him the door out, may be.

There are six basic necktie knots described below. Each has its own complications. Go through them depending on how well dressed you want to look.

HOW TO MAKE A NECKTIE

NECKTIE KNOTS: FOUR IN HAND

The most well known, even to schoolboys, and easy to go with all ties and occasions. Make sure the knot fits well into the collar, and is not hidden by it. The wide end should hang twice the length of the other as you begin to tie. The method is to wrap the bigger end twice around the tie and then push the big flap through the first loop of the tie, and pull it down and out. It the bigger end is too long or short, untie and begin all over, keeping the length of the wider side short or long, respectively.

NECKTIE KNOTS: DOUBLE SIMPLE

Quick and easy to tie, ideal for shorter men, and with thin ties, as the length of the tie is reduced. The method is the same as four in hand, except that an extra loop is taken and then the broad end slipped through as usual.

NECKTIE KNOTS: WINDSOR KNOT

Named after the Duke of Windsor, it has true English class. It is one of the most popular knots. The final prepared knot is big and occupies great volume. Therefore well suited for big collars, as in Italian collars. It is also complicated, naturally, and the final knot must have good symmetrical shape.

Take the big end from under the thinner side and flip it out and down. Now again take the big end inside over the know and pull it out, forming two crosses at the knot. Now wrap the big end around the knot, take it inside, and slip it out from the pocket formed at the knot when the bid end was wrapped around. Your Windsor knot is ready. There are many sites that explain this with clear visual graphics. So consult them in case it proves difficult. Look here for a cute animation: tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Tie_windsor.htm

NECKTIE KNOTS: HALF WINDSOR

This occupies less volume, and good for straight, parallel ties. The only difference is that we do not form the second cross. The big end is take in and slipped out only once, then wrapped around the knot as usual and slipped out of the loop pocket.

NECKTIE KNOTS: SMALL KNOT

Ideal for very thin fabrics like woven silk. The knot is small, and fits close fitting collars well. The bigger end in this case is twisted and taken from underneath the smaller end, then wrapped around and slipped out of the pocket as in four in hand. This is the easiest tie knot.

NECKTIE KNOTS: CROSS KNOT

Difficult to achieve. Wrap the big end around the thin strip once, then take it out over one of the sides, wrap around again over the knot and pull it out of the knot pocket.

HOW TO TIE NECK SCARF

There are many ways to wear a scarf. Only two are described below.

Fold the scarf diagonally into a triangle. Then grasp the broad and middle point. Fold repeatedly until the scarf forms a 2-inch band. This can be draped around your neck and tied as a knot.

Spread the scarf upside down over a flat surface. Pull the fabric up from the center of the scarf. Then tie a small knot. Flip the ends so that the knot goes underneath. Take the opposite ends and tie them around the back of your neck, and let the scarf spill over from the base of your throat.

Q. What did the necktie say to the hat?

A. You go on ahead, I'll just hang around.