Nate Ritter

How to Tie a Neck Tie

Back when I was a kid, I had the biggest trouble learning how to tie a neck tie. I hated it. Now that I live in San Diego and don’t have to dress up with a neck tie other than going out with my wife, I’ve pretty much forgotten how to tie a necktie.

But, since it’s been so long since you or I have tied a neck tie, we should probably get a few new neck ties while we’re at it.

Ok, now that we have our 3 free neck ties, let’s get to work learning how to tie these.

Ah shoot! Now we have to know which kind of knot we want to tie. Here’s 4 good ones and how to tie them:

• How to tie a Windsor knot:
  
  1. Start with wide end of the tie on your right and extending a foot below narrow end.
  2. Cross wide end over narrow and bring up through loop.
  3. Cross wide end over narrow and bring up through loop.
  4. Then put down through loop and around across narrow as shown.
  5. Turn and pass up through loop and…
  6. Complete by slipping down through the knot in front. Tighten and draw up snug to collar.
• How to tie a Half Windsor knot:
  
  1. Start with wide end of the tie on your right and extending a foot below narrow end.
  2. Cross wide end over narrow and turn back underneath.
  3. Bring up and turn down through loop.
  4. Pass wide end around front from left to right.
  5. Then up through loop…
  6. And down through know in front. Tighten carefully and draw up to collar.
• How to tie a Four in Hand knot:
  
  1. Start with wide end of the tie on your right and extending a foot below narrow end.
  2. Cross wide end over narrow and back underneath.
  3. Continue around passing wide end across front of narrow once more.
  4. Pass side end up through loop.
  5. Holding front of knot loose with index finger, pass wide end down through loop in front.
  6. Remove finger and tighten knot carefully. Draw up tight to collar by holding narrow end and sliding knot snug.
• How to tie a bowtie:
  
  1. Start with end in right hand, extending 1.5 inch below that in left hand.
  2. Cross longer end over shorter and pass up through loop.
  3. Form front loop of bow by doubling up shorter end (hanging) end placing across collar points.
  4. Hold this front loop with thumb and forefinger of right hand. Drop long end down over front.
  5. Place left forefinger pointing up on bottom half of hanging part. Pass up behind front loop and…
  6. Poke resulting loop though knot behind front loop (see illustration). Even ends and tighten

Now, again, if you haven’t already, you really should take advantage and get your 3 free ties. Seriously, they are great ties.

I hope you’re now outfitted with free ties, and have learned how to tie a neck tie. Your mother would be proud. Cheers!

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