If you came for the meat and not the potatoes, scroll to the bottom for the necktie pattern. But I don't eat meat and I love the potatoes, literally and figuratively, and thus am not good at brevity.
The things I love making the most are things for people I love. Usually whimsical, utilitarian things. Sometimes I'll be asked to make something special for an occasion. So here come this blog.
Recently, an old college friend of mine got back in touch with me. I was thrilled! I have fond memories of laughing with her and eating pineapple pizza on many a night in our dorm. On top of the thrill of hearing from her, she was pregnant! And to top it off, she thought of me when she was contemplating a first outfit for a photo shoot. Aw shucks!
I knew I had to come up with something awesome. She was having a boy and wanted a hat and a necktie, the only other stipulation being no blue, which I was totally down with because color-coding babies is fine but overrated in my humble opinion. She mentioned a necktie reminding her of a "secret agent baby." At that point it was on like Donkey Kong.
I decided to go with grey with a baby green color. Having never had a baby myself and lacking a model to go through the trial and error process with, I decided to look for patterns. I found a couple good ones that I'll review for the hat and diaper cover (a diaper cover was not requested, but I thought it would really tie the outfit together), but I was unable to find a baby necktie pattern that I was satisfied with. Forget that noise, I made my own.
First off, the diaper cover pattern. I used a pattern from Yarn Blossom Boutique because the pattern included different size ranges from newborn through 24 months and the pictures looked like exactly what I was going for: simple, adorable, and functional. The pattern was well-written and easy to follow and the finished product was perfect. The only thing I changed was that I single crocheted around the piece instead of slip stitching because I was using a contrast color for the edge and wanted the color to pop more. I made two because the Newborn size looked too small, but as it turns out babies are indeed that small. Baby boy was around 5lb and the newborn size did the trick.
First off, the diaper cover pattern. I used a pattern from Yarn Blossom Boutique because the pattern included different size ranges from newborn through 24 months and the pictures looked like exactly what I was going for: simple, adorable, and functional. The pattern was well-written and easy to follow and the finished product was perfect. The only thing I changed was that I single crocheted around the piece instead of slip stitching because I was using a contrast color for the edge and wanted the color to pop more. I made two because the Newborn size looked too small, but as it turns out babies are indeed that small. Baby boy was around 5lb and the newborn size did the trick.
The fedora hat pattern I deliberated over for quite a few days before settling on this one from Kari O. Designs. A lot of people may balk at the price, but it includes sizes from preemie all the way to adult large and I have no doubt that I will use it again. In paying for a pattern, you are paying for all the time and expertise of the author, and $6 isn't much to ask for all the work I'm sure the designer put into it. The pattern was very detailed, included many high-quality pictures, including photos demonstrating how to get that characteristic fedora shape, and was overall well worth the money. It ends up looking professional and is easy enough for an experienced beginner who has a handle on basic stitches and working in the round. The hat itself is sturdy and on point. I didn't sew the band on in case the new momma wants to change it out to complement other outfits.
And now, the necktie. I suppose I could clean this pattern up and have it tested by friends and sell it, but I have benefited greatly from free patterns bequeathed to me by the glory of the internet, so I'm going to pay it forward. Unfortunately, I'm a dummy and didn't take pictures of the process and this is more of a guideline than a Real Pattern, but hey, this is what you get for free.
Also, a disclaimer: this tie is intended for use as a photo prop, not a hanging implement for babies. Please supervise your beeb whilst wearing.
Newborn Necktie
You will need a G hook, soft worsted weight yarn (I used two colors), one button (I used a 5/8" button, but you will need a size that fits between your double crochets but doesn't slip through) and a yarn needle. Gauge isn't essential to this pattern, since you may make as many or few rows as you need to get to 12.5-13" long, so your mileage may vary.
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
inc = increase
sc2tog = decrease by single crocheting two stitches together
If you don't know how to accomplish the increases or decreases, you betta ask somebody (youtube is pretty instant gratification for that sort of thing).
Tie:
- Ch 4
- Sc in second ch from hook and across (3 st)
- Rinse and repeat until tie measures 12.5-13" long
- Sc 1, inc, sc 1 (4)
- Sc across for next 3 rows
- Sc, inc, sc 2 (5)
- Sc across for next 6 rows
- Sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog (3)
- Sc2tog, sc 1 (2)
- Sc2tog
- Sc around to finish, using a contrast color if you like. Start at top of tie, increase around corners so they lay flat, and leave a long tail when you finish off.
Neckband:
- Ch 40
- Dc in back bump of ch across*
- Sl st around in a contrast color, if desired.
*This ensures that the bottom of the neckband will match the finished look of the top. Yes, it is a pain in the butt, but I think it's worth it.
Since I didn't take pictures of the process, I don't have my own photo record of the assembly. However, this blog does a wonderful job of demonstrating the knot toward the bottom. And if you're into sewing, lookie there, a tutorial for a sewn munchkin tie! Once you tie that bad boy up, adjust the knot until you are satisfied with the look and then tack down the butt-end of the tie with the long tail you left yourself. Sew a button on the end of the neckband; I chose the end without the yarn tails because this end was more aesthetically pleasing and serves to hide the other end when buttoned. I sewed the button on the second- or third-to-last dc on that end, if memory serves; you want to be able to see the edging, although I guess it doesn't matter what the back of your baby's neck looks like, but I am a perfectionist. Do what feels right. The tie can be buttoned at any point on the neckband since the double crochets serve as button holes! I did that because every baby is created different, and also in the spirit of CYA since I don't know how big babies' necks are.
The best part, though, was seeing the babe himself wearing the fruits of my labor.
Rarrr,
Jax
