Free pattern

I fell upon this old pattern that I created at least 4 years ago. I saw a similiar necktie in a magazine and re-created it using leftover bulky alpaca. Now that neckwarmers are in, I thought I should re-print this pattern in hopes of helping fellow knitters use up their leftover stash.

Winter Necktie
Level: Advanced Beginning Knitting
Sizes: Adult - one size fits all
Yarn: Baby Alpaca Grande (110 yds)
1 skein (solid necktie), 2 skeins (striped)
Needle: US # 10 needles (3 needles)
Measurements: 4” wide X 34” long
Stitches used: Garter stitch (knit both right and wrong sides)
Gauge: 3 sts = 1” (12 sts = 10 cm)
Special Notes:
Increases: All increases will be made on the second stitch of each side of the necktie. All increases will be done on the wrong side of the necktie on color A only.
Color Changes: Colors will be noted as (A) -grey and (B) - red. Wrap the yarn to be used on the next row in front of the yarn just used for a finished edge. After knitting 1 stitch, give both yarns a slight tug to avoid a loose finished edge.
Decreases: All decreases will be done on the first and last two stitches of that row (K2tog, K to last 2 stitches of the row, K2tog). All decreases will be done on the right side of the necktie on color A only.
Necktie Loop: Before beginning project, cut off 2 ½ yards of both colors for the knit loop and set aside.
K2tog: Pick up two stitches at the same time with the right needle and knit them off together, thus decreasing 1 stitch.
M1: Make one stitch. With the needle tip, lift the strand between last stitch knit and next stitch on the left hand needle and knit into back of it.

Striped Necktie:
With color A, Cast On 4 stitches.
Row 1: (color A) K4
Row 2: (A) K1, M1, K2, M1, K1 (6 sts)
Row 3: (B) K6
Row 4: (B) K6
Row 5: (A) K6
Row 6: (A) M2 sts as noted in special notes (8 sts)
Following the pattern above, increase to 16 sts. Increase only on the wrong side of color A with no changes to color B.
At 16 sts., begin decrease on Color A: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Decrease only on the right side of color A with no changes to color B. Repeat decreases until 8 sts remain. Approx. 6” from beg.
Loop:
K1, M1 (transferring ALL new stitches onto an extra needle), K1,M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1). There should be 8 original stitches on original needle and 8 newly made stitches on the third needle. This will make the loop. While keeping with the striped pattern, garter stitch the 8 sts for 2”, ending on a color A. With the precut yarn, repeat the same procedure for the 8 new stitches. To enclose the loop, parallel the needles, knit the front and back first stitch together with color B. Continue knitting front and back stitches together, thus ending with the original 8 stitches. Wrong side, with color B, K8.
Neck: (approx. 15” between loops)
With color A, begin increase as done previously to 16 sts. At 16 sts, k for 10 - 10 ½” with no increases or decreases.
Begin decrease as done previously (necktie will be approx. 21 ½” long) until there are 8 sts. remaining. K8 for 2” with no increases or decreases and matching with loop length and width. A loop is not made at this end.
Begin increase as done previously to 16 sts.
Begin decrease as done previously to 4 sts and ending with color A. Bind off remaining 4 sts.

Solid Necktie:
Follow above pattern, using one color of yarn only. Increase and decrease as instructed. If embellishing is desired, sew on a button for appearances only on top part of loop.