Knit neck ties?

[Lime]

Just remembered that Drakes have some interesting blurb on their website about knitted ties:

"Knitted Silk
The Ultimate Knitted Silk Tie
What makes Drake's knitted ties?
There are knitted ties and knitted ties. Ours start with first quality raw silk, spun, dyed, and finished in Switzerland in a way that assures the crunchy handle and Cri de la Soie (the crunch of the silk when squeezed) for which our knits are famous. If you examine other knitted ties, you'll find they have a much softer, limper body, a pale imitation of a Drake's classic knit tie. The yarn is knitted on hundred-year-old frames, which are slower than modern machinery, but ensure a superior quality, then sewn down the centre back and put on a mould for 24 hours to achieve the desired finished shape. The ends are closed and finally the label is sewn on by hand. In addition to solid knits, we also offer a version with hand-sewn spots, each spot individually sewn into place using the same crunchy yarn. These are truly the epitome of sartorial refinement.

A word about tying knitted silk ties
Always use the four-in-hand knot, no other knot really works well. Always untie the knot after wearing, and roll the tie up rather than hanging it. This method will ensure its shape forever. And, lest you imagine we haven't thought of everything, we knit our ties slightly shorter than standard length to account for a small amount of natural stretch. Think grey Shetland jackets with Oxford button downs, or chalk-striped flannel suits worn with brown suede shoes."

http://www.drakes-london.com/details/ties/knitted-silk

[gary meakin]

My wife knitted me a red tie for Christmas years ago. I wear it on Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Until this thread, I never thought of wearing it with the kilt.
But now I think I will. I agree the materials will go good together.

[creagdhubh]

Here is a photo of me kilted wearing a knit tie. It is black, made by Hilditch and Key. The photo was taken after the burial of my father in Ottawa several years ago.

This is the photo I was talking about earlier in this thread, Sandy! You look great, as always - absolutely spot on with your Highland attire, yet also allowing your own personal style, fashion preferences, and flaire into traditional Highland dress.

Here are some key aspects, in my opinion, that make this outfit terrific:

1) Forgoing the waistcoat (perhaps due to weather or simply personal preference)

2) No belt - there is no need for one.

3) Simple silver blanket pin as a kilt pin.

4) Very smart looking brownish-tan leather day sporran with Maclean of Duart silver badge affixed and coordinating brownish-tan leather sporran strap - simple in design - understated elegance.

5) Deep red/claret Coquet topped, gray bodied kilt hose that contrast with the green of the Maclean Hunting tartan, yet allow the the kilt to be the centerpiece, or focal point of the entire outfit.

6) Beautiful check jacket, complete with a pocket square.

7) Simple scarlet 'flashes' with the kilt hose - positioned correctly (well, according to Regimental tradition)

8) Polished black leather brogues, and not 'ghillie' brogues - I like leaving those for the pipers, or perhaps for evening attire when they are buckled on the instep and have scarlet laces.

9) Crisp, white button down collar Oxford shirt - perfect to set off the dark coloured knit neck tie.

10) Small blanket pin to keep the neck tie in place - compliments the larger blanket pin affixed to the front kilt apron - again, understated elegance/effortless style.

Well done Sandy! You truly are an inspiration my friend!

Best wishes,

[creagdhubh]

One of the aspects I really like about Highland dress is the combination of patterns and textures. There is a certain richness about the twill weave of a heavy wool tartan, combines with a coarse tweed, a checked tattersal shirt, etc. To me, the knit pattern of the tie complements all that very well.

Yes, I definitely think it is more of a country look. I really enjoy wearing mine with my tweed jackets, but I certainly don't think I'd wear one with my barathea Argyle for evening wear.

I'm asking other's opinions no so much in the sense of "should I wear this or not," but just to introduce the subject and to see if what other's opinions, in general, on knit ties might be.

Agreed!

[OC Richard]

I just read over this thread and didn't notice anyone mentioning the military.

It's where I first saw knit neckties worn with Highland Dress: the "dark khaki" (the colour Americans call Olive Drab) knit neckties worn with No2 Dress in the Army.



Inspired by that, I bought a claret knit necktie back in the early 1980s which I've often worn with the kilt.

[creagdhubh]

Very interesting indeed, Richard.

Cheers,

[JSFMACLJR]

Just remembered that Drakes have some interesting blurb on their website about knitted ties:

"Knitted Silk
The Ultimate Knitted Silk Tie
What makes Drake's knitted ties?
There are knitted ties and knitted ties. Ours start with first quality raw silk, spun, dyed, and finished in Switzerland in a way that assures the crunchy handle and Cri de la Soie (the crunch of the silk when squeezed) for which our knits are famous. If you examine other knitted ties, you'll find they have a much softer, limper body, a pale imitation of a Drake's classic knit tie. The yarn is knitted on hundred-year-old frames, which are slower than modern machinery, but ensure a superior quality, then sewn down the centre back and put on a mould for 24 hours to achieve the desired finished shape. The ends are closed and finally the label is sewn on by hand. In addition to solid knits, we also offer a version with hand-sewn spots, each spot individually sewn into place using the same crunchy yarn. These are truly the epitome of sartorial refinement.

A word about tying knitted silk ties
Always use the four-in-hand knot, no other knot really works well. Always untie the knot after wearing, and roll the tie up rather than hanging it. This method will ensure its shape forever. And, lest you imagine we haven't thought of everything, we knit our ties slightly shorter than standard length to account for a small amount of natural stretch. Think grey Shetland jackets with Oxford button downs, or chalk-striped flannel suits worn with brown suede shoes."

http://www.drakes-london.com/details/ties/knitted-silk

I have several knitted ties from Drakes. They are beautifully made, as are all their ties and scarves.

[Lime]

More knitted tie trivia:

“Wearing his usual rig—dark-blue single-breasted suit, white shirt, thin black knitted silk tie, black casuals— but they all look brand-new. Raincoat bought yesterday from Burberry’s.” Ian Flemming on James Bond in The Man With The Golden Gun.

[Lime]

I have several knitted ties from Drakes. They are beautifully made, as are all their ties and scarves.

Yes; they have few equals.

[Tobus]

Just remembered that Drakes have some interesting blurb on their website about knitted ties:

A word about tying knitted silk ties
Always use the four-in-hand knot, no other knot really works well.

Ahhh, that explains why I've never had good luck with knit ties being able to give a nice knot. I've never tied a four-in-hand in my life. I learned to tie a Half-Windsor and didn't really even know other knots existed until not too long ago.

Armed with this tidbit of information, giving knit ties another go might be more successful. Just gotta use the right knot for the knit!

Matt, unless my eyes deceive me, the knot in your original photos doesn't look like a four-in-hand. May I ask what knot you used? I can tell that you didn't cinch it too tightly, but it looks nice and clean, without too much bulk. I like the look.