I spent about an hour looking for crochet bow tie patterns online and found none that I liked. Every pattern I could find used yarn and I really don't like the way they look in the end. So at the end of the hour, I decided to write up a pattern of my own using thread instead for a more tight and classy look.
Materials:
Size 10 Crochet Thread (See below for type)
Size 7 / 1.65mm crochet hook
Needle for weaving in ends
Starch (If you want to starch the ends. I recommend it.)
I have had several questions about the type of thread used for this pattern. The "thread" needed is NOT the kind you would use for sewing or embroidering. You need crochet thread. This is the kind of thread you will usually see used to crochet doilies or lace-type tablecloths. I usually use the Red Heart Classic Crochet Thread you can find at nearly any Walmart (as my town lacks anywhere else to buy yarn, thread, etc.). You can usually find it close to where most stores stock their yarn. At Walmart it is usually on the same isle as the yarn. In other stores like, Hobby Lobby or Joann's, they usually stock it on the end of an isle. No matter what brand you end up buying, they will all look similar to the pic below.
Terms:
·
Decrease
Row: Ch 1, turn, sc 2 tog, sc in next st and in each st across
·
Increase
Row: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st and in each st across
Pattern: [Main pattern makes a large "Bow" when tied. For a smaller sized "Bow" use stitch numbers inside ( ) In rows where you do increases and decreases, you will end up doing 5 less rows then the pattern says for the smaller sized "Bow" ]
1.
Ch 21(16), turn sc in 2nd ch from hook
and in each ch across. (20 (15) sts)
2-4. Ch 1, turn, sc in each
st across.
5-19. Decreased rows. (Last row will
have 5 sts.)
20. Ch 1,
turn, sc in each st across.
21-35. Increase
Rows (Last row will have 20 (15) sts.)
36-43. Ch
1, turn, sc in each st across.
44-58. Decrease rows. (Last row will have 5
sts.)
59-203. Ch
1, turn, sc in each st across. (If you need this bow tie to fit larger or smaller neck sizes, simply add or leave off rows from this section)
204-217. Increase
rows (Last row will have 20 (15) sts.)
218-225. Ch
1, turn, sc in each st across.
226-240. Decrease
rows (last row will have 5 sts)
241-242. Ch
1, turn, sc in each st across.
243-257. Increase
Rows (last row will have 20 (15) sts)
258-261. Ch
1, turn, sc in each st across.
262. Without
turning, sc in each st around the outside of bow tie. Join with a sl st to
first st of previous row. Fasten off and weave in ends.
It is a good idea to starch the ends of the bow tie to get it to stand up right when you tie it. If you do not starch it, it has a softer, floppy sort of look and the ends will curl over on themselves a bit.
This pattern works up fairly quickly considering the small size of thread. I think it took me about 2.5 hours and that was with me typing out the pattern as I went.
Have fun with this one! This pattern can easily be adapted to use more than one color. (stripes, outside border a different color, etc.) I would love to hear how the pattern works for you and as always feel free to comment with any questions you have.
Stormi
Thank you for the pattern, I look forward to trying it. I have a friend that loves bow ties.
ReplyDeleteWould you mind telling me what measurements you had when you finished? As I'm making this I feel like it's too small, so I would like to save some time and see if I'm on the right track.
ReplyDeleteI've made several from this pattern and they were all given away as gifts so I don't have one to give you exact measurements from. If I remember correctly, untied from end to end I am pretty sure that it measures 32 inches. (If you need more or less length, add or take away rows from rows 59-203. When researching for this pattern I found that a good rule of thumb is take the neck size of your dress shirts and add 19 inches to get the total length you need for the tie.) Tied, the "bow" stands about two inches tall and 4-5 inches wide depending on how you tie it and how tight you get it. Let me know if I can help you with anything else. I hope you like the pattern!
DeleteBest looking bow tie on the web! Thank you for sharing this. As both my 17 year old twins like to wear bow ties, I'll be trying this one. You say "thread" but I bet you don't mean like sewing thread, right? Is there a special thread for crochet? Any difference in weights? Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteNo not sewing thread. Usually somewhere close to were most stores stock their yarn there is a section for crochet thread. Walmart usually puts it on the same isle while places like Hobby Lobby or JoAnns usually stock it on the end of an isle. There are a few different weights to look at when looking at crochet thread. The thread I used in this pattern was a size 10.
DeleteI am going to update the post to include the type of thread and a pic of what I am talking about as well.
DeleteThis is the type of tie I was searching for. I was thinking about crocheting one off the dome but I found your blog. Thank you ever so much Now Tie Queen.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help. :)
Deletewhat type of thread was used? like embroidering thread
ReplyDeleteNo not embroidering. Usually somewhere close to were most stores stock their yarn there is a section for crochet thread. Walmart usually puts it on the same isle while places like Hobby Lobby or JoAnns usually stock it on the end of an isle. There are a few different weights to look at when looking at crochet thread. The thread I used in this pattern was a size 10.
DeleteI am going to update the post to include the type of thread and a pic of what I am talking about as well.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePlease tell me how you starch the ends.
ReplyDeleteI use a spray starch. It's usually pretty easy to find in the same isle as laundry soap, softener, etc. and it's really not that expensive. I think the brand I usually get is between $1-$2 and it lasts quite a while. All you do is shake the can, spray the ends, and then iron it. Just follow the instructions on the can and you really can't go wrong. I usually do it two or three times to get it stiff enough.
DeleteThank you for your advice. It worked great!
DeleteAmazing! I'm going to make some up as a present!! Thank you so so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a beginner (ok, total novice, but I can follow a pattern with the best of them!!)! I'd like to have the border a different color, but I've no clue how to do it. Any pointers? Thanks in advance! :)
ReplyDeleteFasten off after row 260 and then work rows 261 and 262 in the other color. These rows make a border around the bow tie and all you have to do is work them in a different color.
DeleteOk, I get it! Thank you for your reply! I love your blog site! Thank you for sharing! =D Happy New Year!
DeleteThis design is great, and the thread is much easier to work with than i feared at first!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you have an idea about how to make it adjustable? I am making one as a present, and it will prpbably ruin the surprise if i whip out a measuring tape beforehand.
Rows 59-203 make up the section that goes around the neck and the area you would want to make adjustable. If it were me, I would work the pattern exactly how it is written up until you have about 3-4 inches of the section that actually warps around the neck done. Without fastening off, you will single crochet in the first st of the row, chain for 5-10 stitches and single crochet in the last stitch of the row. You want the loop created to be just large enough the strap can go through it without bunching up or the loop being too loose. Then you will finish that half by single crocheting around (same as row 262 with the same amount of sc in the loop as you did chs for the loop. i.e 10 chs = 10 sc in the loop.)
DeleteStart back at the beginning of the pattern for the second half. Work through until you feel you have enough of the center part completed to be sufficiently adjustable. You will want to make a small button hole in the end of the strap. You will do this by working 1 row of *sc in first st, ch 3, sk 3, sc in last st*, 1 row of sc across working 3 sc in to ch space, and then continuing to row 262.
When you finish, you should have two pieces. One will be kind of short; Long enough to reach from the front of your neck most of the way around the back, and one extra long to make it adjustable.
You will need to add several buttons along one side of the long half so that it can be threaded through the loop and folded back on itself. This way, the end with the button hole can be placed on any button to adjust the length.
I hope that helps. It was a quick write up so please let me know if you have any issues.
Thank you for asking, I think I will be reworking this pattern soon to include an adjustable option.
If you only wanted to sew on one button, you could swap the buttons with button holes along the length of the long side. and add a button at the end of the strap instead of the button hole. This would actually give you more adjusting options as you could add button holes for the whole length of the strap instead of just the half that wouldn't be sliding through the hole.
DeleteAlso, the 3-4 inches I suggested in the first reply should actually be closer to 6-7. You want the strap part to be able to reach from the front of your neck ( its okay to use yours as a general measurement even if its for someone else since you are making it adjustable.) to the back of your neck.
DeletePretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info.
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