My first pattern!

Today is the day! I'm posting my very first pattern I wrote entirely on my own. The idea came to me as I was trying to think of something besides socks to knit for the men in my life. There are too many of them for sweaters and I've knit them all socks in previous years. I looked at the patterns for ties on the web, but didn't think they were modern enough. So I wrote my own pattern.

Here it is, the Gentleman's Knit Tie.

Materials:

2-50 gram skeins fingering weight sock yarn with nylon or elastic
2-No. 2 circular needles, any length
1-stitch marker
large sewing needle for knits

Gauge:

7.5 sts and 10 rows = 1" or any gauge if knitting by inches!


UPDATE: I recently made another tie, but put the increases in the center of each needle, rather than on the ends of each needle. Simply put two stitches between the decreases in the center of each needle every time you decrease (or increase). This produces a tie without the "steps" on the tie in the picture. If you use a yarn like Regia Cotton Galaxy colors, you will not be able to detect the decreases without looking VERY closely.


Directions:
Using Judy's Magic Cast On, cast on 3 sts on each of two circular needles (6 total stitches).
Knit one round, careful to knit the 2nd needle's stitches through the back loop as directed.
Increase round: *[K1, m1, knit to last stitch on needle, m1, K1]. Repeat * on second needle.
Repeat these two rounds until each needle has 29 sts on it (58 total) or until tie is desired width (about 4").

K in the round for 26 rows or 2-3/4 inches.
27th row: *[K1, ssk, knit until 3 sts remain on needle, K2 tog, K1]. Repeat * on 2nd needle.

Repeat these 27 rows until 9 sts remain on each needle or piece measures just over 1 inch wide.

Work until piece measures 44.5" long, knitting in the round.

Increase round. *[K1, m1, K until last stitch on needle, m1, K1]. Repeat * on 2nd needle.

Knit until piece measures 59".

Begin Decrease to Point:
*[K1, ssk, knit until 3 sts remain on needle, K2 tog, K1]. Repeat * on 2nd needle.
Knit one round.
Repeat these two rounds until 3 sts remain on each needle. Weave sts together using Kitchner stitch. Using large sewing needle, hide end of yarn inside two layers.

Wet block for best results. Soak knitting in bowl of warm water for twenty minutes. Roll up tie in large, thick bath towel to absorb extra water. Lay tie out on blocking mat or water safe surface, patting into shape and 60" length. Let dry completely.