Looking for a unique handmade gift for Dad? This free Tunisian crochet tie pattern puts a creative twist on the traditional necktie! Using Tunisian simple stitch and diagonal construction to create its pointed end and tapered shape, this crocheted tie makes a fun accessory for Father’s Day, birthdays, or any occasion.
Customize the tie with his favorite colors, a favorite sports team’s colors, or a classic combination that matches his wardrobe. The striped design is easy to personalize, and you can even make it in a single color for a simpler look.
If you’re new to Tunisian crochet, check out my Learn Tunisian Crochet in a Week series to get comfortable with the basic techniques before starting.
Tunisian Crochet Tie
Pattern Details
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn in three colors, or colors of your choice
- Hook: 6.5 mm (US K-10½) Tunisian crochet hook
- Stitch: Tunisian simple stitch (Tss)
- Construction: Worked diagonally in rows, beginning at the wide, pointed end and gradually tapering toward the narrow end
- Design: Customizable stripes created by alternating yarn colors
- Finished size: Approximately the size of a standard adult necktie; dimensions may vary depending on yarn and tension.
Materials
- Worsted-weight yarn in 3 colors, such as Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (sample shown in Chocolate, Brick, and Linen)
- 6.5 mm (US K-10½) Tunisian crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Blocking mat and rustproof pins, optional
Tunisian Crochet Abbreviations
- Ch – Chain
- Tss – Tunisian simple stitch
- Yo – Yarn over
For additional help, see my Tunisian Crochet Abbreviations and Symbols guide.
Special Techniques
Basic Return Pass: Yarn over and draw through 1 loop, then *yarn over and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * across until 1 loop remains on your hook.
Decreasing Return Pass: Yarn over and draw through 2 loops immediately, skipping the usual first step of drawing through only 1 loop. Continue to yarn over and draw through 2 loops across until 1 loop remains on your hook. This decreases the stitch count by 1.
Beginning-of-Row Increase: Yarn over before working the first Tunisian simple stitch. This adds 1 stitch at the beginning of the row.
Pattern Notes
- The tie is worked diagonally, beginning at the wide, pointed end and gradually tapering toward the narrow end.
- The first seven rows increase to form the pointed end of the tie.
- On rows that include both a beginning-of-row increase and a decreasing return pass, the stitch count remains unchanged while the fabric shifts diagonally.
- Rows without a beginning-of-row increase, followed by a decreasing return pass, reduce the stitch count by 1 and gradually taper the tie.
- The loop already on your hook counts as the first stitch of each forward pass.
- The sample uses a repeating color sequence of 2 rows Chocolate, 2 rows Brick, and 1 row Linen. You can use any colors or make the tie in a single color.
Tunisian Crochet Tie Instructions
Ch 8.
Row 1 (Setup Row): Starting in the second chain from the hook, insert your hook through the back ridge of each chain and pull up a loop, keeping all loops on your hook — 8 loops total, including the loop already on your hook. Work a basic return pass.
Row 2: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work basic return pass — 9 sts.
Rows 3—7: Rep Row 2 — each row increases by 1 st, ending with 14 sts in Row 7.
Row 8: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 14 sts.
Rows 9–27: Repeat Row 8 — 14 sts.
Row 28: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 13 sts.
Rows 29—32: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass —13 sts.
Row 33: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 12 sts.
Rows 34—37: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 12 sts.
Row 38: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 11 sts.
Rows 39—42: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 11 sts.
Row 43: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 10 sts.
Rows 44—47: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 10 sts.
Row 48: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 9 sts.
Row 49: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 9 sts.
Row 50: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 8 sts.
Rows 51—52: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 8 sts.
Row 53: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 7 sts.
Row 54: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 7 sts.
Row 55: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 6 sts.
Rows 56—62: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 6 sts.
Row 63: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 5 sts.
Rows 64—67: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass— 5 sts.
Row 68: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 4 sts.
Rows 69—137: Yo (counts as increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 4 sts.
Row 138: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 3 sts.
Row 139: Do not yo (no increase), Tss in each st; work decreasing return pass — 2 sts.
Finishing and Blocking
Fasten off and weave in all yarn ends securely, taking care to keep the edges neat.
Lightly block the finished tie to smooth the stitches, straighten the edges, and help define its pointed end and tapered shape. Follow the care instructions for your yarn to choose an appropriate blocking method. Lay the tie flat on a blocking mat, gently shape it without overstretching, and pin in place if needed. Allow it to dry completely before removing the pins.
For more tips, see my How to Block Knit and Crochet Items tutorial.
More Tunisian Crochet Patterns
Enjoyed making this Tunisian crochet tie? Try another project to practice your Tunisian crochet skills!
- Tunisian Crochet Coaster Pattern
- Sampler Washcloth Tunisian Crochet Pattern
- Tunisian Crochet Blanket Pattern – Customize to Any Size!
- A Year of Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth Patterns
- More Tunisian Crochet Patterns
Hi I just loved this tie pattern. I have started working on this tie. I found that it is folding on the sides and not stiff as it seems in the picture. Can u suggest how to make it stiff? Also, how have you finished with so many loose ends with the colour changes?
Hi Sharada 🙂 So glad you liked the pattern!! I didn’t have any issues with folding or need for brainstorm ideas to stiffen it up. As for the loose ends, I carried the colors up the sides between color changes instead of fastening off after each row.
For row 9-27 when you say repeat row 8 am i to yo each time because i keep ending with more stitches eg 15 16 17 as row increases. Even with pulling through two. :s
Hi Sherina 🙂 The reverse pass for Rows 8-27 should be to yarn over and pull through 2 all the way across, as opposed to a normal reverse pass of yarining over and pulling through 1 loop first and then 2 the rest of the way across. This way you should end up with the same amount of stitches in each row even with the increasing at the beginning of the forward pass. Hope that helps!!
Thank you for the pattern. I am struggling with rows 9-27…are you doing a YO (yarn over) to make a total of 15 stitches on the TSS and then reducing to 14 on the return pass? Is the intent to make the tie worked on a diagonal? Could you please show a photo of the whole tie? Thanks again.
For the increase/decrease rows,does “draw through 2 loops across” mean the very first stitch on the return pass?
Yes, the very first stitch and all stitches across. This should decrease your count by one.
I’ve never tried Tunisian crochet, but I like the project. It’s a nice alternative to the standard tie.
I’ve featured it in a DIY Father’s Day Gifts roundup on my blog: http://www.shesgotthenotion.com/2015/06/10-for-tuesday-diy-fathers-day-gifts.html
Thank you, Kara. Your tip about going into both front and back loops of the last TSS stitch was excellent.
So glad you found it helpful!!
I am finally going to try Tunisian crochet, watched a video about the basic stitch you use in this great looking tie.
Not sure what is meant by “Tss in each st; for return pass, draw through 2 loops across ” is it the same as Tss in each st but going through a third loop going back?
Thanks
I will try to clarify. Remember that Tunisian crochet consists of a forward pass and a reverse pass. Tss stands for Tunisian Simple Stitch. You work a Tunisian Simple Stitch in each stitch across (meaning you are pulling up loops through each vertical bar across. For the reverse pass, you will work these loops off the hook. The basic return pass is yarn over and pull through first loop then yarn over and pull through two loops the rest of the way across. Hope that helps!
Ok I get it now, thank you
Great pattern. I willbe making this for sure for my boys!
Shouldn’t rows 9-27 repeat row 8 not row 7?
Thanks!
Yes, you are correct. Just fixed it. Thanks for the catch, Miriam 🙂
You have two row 7’s in the pattern. I think that’s a mistake. From what I’m doing, it looks like the second Row 7 should be Row 8, and then the numbers go up from there.
Good catch! You are correct … I just fixed it. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
I love this design I’m looking to make it for a baby how would I change it to be smaller
Hi Victoria 🙂 What a cute idea! You can do that in a few ways. You can use a lighter weight yarn and smaller hook or you can eliminate a few of the center stitches throughout.