Thirteen Aesthetic Tie Knots

Thomas Fink and Yong Mao, who are physicists at the University of Cambridge, published an interesting book titled "The 85 Ways To Tie a Tie. The Science and Aesthetics of Tie Knots" in 1999. If you want to learn the details about different tie knots, this is one of the books that you should buy. Thomas Fink and Yong Mao used mathematical theory and model to prove that there are totally eighty-five ways to tie a tie. Among the eighty-five ways to tie a tie, they found that there are thirteen aesthetic tie knots (including the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot and the Windsor knot that are described earlier) based on criteria like symmetry and balance. The thirteen aesthetic tie knots are listed below in ascending order of size. Click the links to see the instructions on tying a certain tie knot.

Instructions for Tying an Oriental Knot

The instructions for tying an Oriental knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over the narrow end from the Left region to the Right region.

4. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie to the Center region.

5. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

6. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Four-in-hand Knot

Brief Description of the Four-in-hand Knot

The four-in-hand knot is the easiest to learn among the four most commonly used tie knots (the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot, the Windsor knot and thePratt knot). It is a small tie knot that suits shirts with a narrow collar opening and is suitable for most occasions. However, the four-in-hand knot is asymmetric, which does not look good on wide collar shirts.

Instructions for Tying a Four-in-hand Knot

The instructions for tying a four-in-hand knot are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from Left to Right.

4. Bring the wide end over from Right to Left.

5. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Center region.

6. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

7. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

Instructions for Tying a Kelvin Knot

The instructions for tying a Kelvin knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over from the Left region to the Right region.

4. Bring the wide end under the knot from Right to Left.

5. Bring the wide end over the knot to Right.

6. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from Right to Center.

7. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

8. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Nicky Knot

Instructions for Tying a Nicky Knot

The instructions for tying a Nicky knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over the narrow end to the Center region.

4. Bring the wide end down from Center to Right.

5. Bring the wide end over the knot from Right to Left.

6. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from the Left region to the Center region.

7. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

8. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Victoria Knot

Instructions for Tying a Victoria Knot

The instructions for tying a Victoria knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from the Left region to the Right region.

4. Bring the wide end up from Right to Left.

5. Bring the wide end under the tie knot from Left to Right.

6. Bring the wide end up to the Left region.

7. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Center region.

8. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

9. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Half-Windsor Knot (Way 1)

Brief Description of the Half-Windsor Knot

The half-Windsor knot is a symmetric tie knot that is slightly larger than the Pratt knot and smaller than the Windsor knot. It is suitable for most collars and occasions.

The name "half-Windsor knot" has been used to refer to two slightly different ways to tie a tie by different books and web sites. Tying the two tie knots involves the same number of steps and the finished tie knots look very similar. Both ways to tie the half-Windsor knot are provided on this web site for completeness. However, to save time, you can just learn one of them. Way 1 will be described below. For way 2, please refer to the article "How to Tie a Half-Windsor Knot (Way 2)".

Instructions for Tying a Half-Windsor Knot (Way 1)

The instructions for tying a half-Windsor knot (way 1) are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from Left to Right.

4. Bring the wide end over to the Center region.

5. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Left region.

6. Bring the wide end out of the shirt from Left to Right.

7. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Center region.

8. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

9. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a St. Andrew Knot

Instructions for Tying a St. Andrew Knot

The instructions for tying a St. Andrew knot are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over the narrow end from the Left region to the Right region.

4. Bring the wide end under the knot from the Right region to the Left region.

5. Bring the wide end over to Center.

6. Bring the wide end underneath the tie knot from Center to Right.

7. Bring the wide end over the tie knot from Right to Left.

8. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from the Left region to the Center region.

9. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

10. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Plattsburgh Knot

Instructions for Tying a Plattsburgh Knot

The instructions for tying a Plattsburgh knot are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over the narrow end to the Center region.

4. Bring the wide end down from the Center region to the Right region.

5. Bring the wide end over the tie knot from Right to Center.

6. Bring the wide end down from Center to Left.

7. Bring the wide end over the knot to the Right region.

8. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from Right to Center.

9. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

10. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Cavendish Knot

Instructions for Tying a Cavendish Knot

The instructions for tying a Cavendish knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from the Left region to the Right region.

4. Bring the wide end over from Right to Left.

5. Bring the wide end up from Left to Center.

6. Bring the wide end down to the Right region.

7. Bring the wide end under the tie knot from the Right region to the Left region.

8. Bring the wide end over the tie knot from the Left region to the Right region.

9. Bring the wide end from Right to Center.

10. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

11. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Windsor Knot (Way 1)

Brief Description of the Windsor Knot

The Windsor knot is a symmetric and large tie knot that suits wide collar shirts. It looks fabulous in business and political occasions. However, the Windsor knot is not suitable for narrow collar shirts. Also, if you use a tie made of thick materials, the resulting tie knot will be too large. The name "Windsor knot" has been used to refer to four slightly different ways to tie a tie by different books and web sites. Among the four, way 1 and way 2 are more commonly referred as the Windsor knot. Tying the four tie knots involves the same number of steps

and the finished tie knots look very similar. The four ways to tie the Windsor knot are provided on this web site for completeness. However, to save time, you can just learn either way 1 or way 2. Way 1 will be described below. For way 2, way 3 and way 4, please refer to the following articles: How to Tie a Windsor Knot (Way 2) How to Tie a Windsor Knot (Way 3) How to Tie a Windsor Knot (Way 4)

Instructions for Tying a Windsor Knot (Way 1)

The instructions for tying a Windsor knot (way 1) are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end under the narrow end to the Center region.

4. Bring the wide end over to the Right region.

5. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from Right to Left.

6. Bring the wide end up to the Center region.

7. Bring the wide end under the knot from Center to Right.

8. Bring the wide end over the front to the Left region.

9. Bring the wide end under the narrow part from Left to Center.

10. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

11. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Grantchester Knot

Instructions for Tying a Grantchester Knot

The instructions for tying a Grantchester knot are shown below. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over to the Right region.

4. Bring the wide end from the Right region to the Left region.

5. Bring the wide end over the tie knot from Left to Right.

6. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from Right to Center.

7. Bring the wide end down from the Center region to the Left region.

8. Bring the wide end underneath the tie knot to the Right region.

9. Bring the wide end over the tie knot to the Left region.

10. Bring the wide end up from the Left region to the Center region.

11. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

12. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Hanover Knot

Instructions for Tying a Hanover Knot

The instructions for tying a Hanover knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. 1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end over the narrow end from Left to Right.

4. Bring the wide end up from the Right region to the Center region.

5. Bring the wide end over the tie knot from the Center region to the Left region.

6. Bring the wide end under the narrow end from Left to Right.

7. Bring the wide end up from Right to Center.

8. Bring the wide end underneath the tie knot to the Left region.

9. Bring the wide end over the tie knot to the Right region.

10. Bring the wide end up from the Right region to the Center region.

11. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

12. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.

How to Tie a Balthus Knot

Instructions for Tying a Balthus Knot

The instructions for tying a Balthus knot are shown below. We assume that you are righthanded in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror.

1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side. Note that the tie should begin inside out.

2. Cross the narrow end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end up from Left to Center.

4. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from Center to Right.

5. Bring the wide end up from the Right region to the Center region.

6. Bring the wide end underneath the tie knot from the Center region to the Left region.

7. Bring the wide end up from the Left region to the Center region.

8. Bring the wide end down from the Center region to the Right region.

9. Bring the wide end over the tie knot to Left.

10. Bring the wide end under the narrow part of the tie from Left to Center.

11. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

12. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.