The Eldredge Knot.
It's described by some as “work of art”.
It's described by others as “too much”.
This futuristic knot gains a lot of attention for the unusual end result.
Whatever your opinion, this knot is a conversation starter.
The Eldredge Knot is a necktie knot for stylish gentlemen who are not shy about turning heads. And we're going to show you how to tie it. (Be prepared – this one takes some practice!)
Summary Of The Eldredge Knot
- Unusual Tie Knot Shape: The finished shape consists of four diagonal bands and one horizontal band, all layered atop one another.
- Asymmetry: The shape is not quite symmetrical (the right side of the knot will be thicker than the left, since the right-hand diagonals lie atop the left-hand diagonals), and
- Collar Requirement: The size of the knot requires a wide spread collar.
- Stylish Appearance: The unusual shape of this knot makes is appropriate for casual and social wear only.
The Eldredge Knot – History
The Eldredge Knot was invented by Jeffrey Eldredge, a Systems Administrator who got tired of wearing a Four In Hand Knot to work everyday. Inspired by the Ediety knot, he began tying his necktie using the tail end instead of the wide end.
The Eldredge Knot – Description and Use
It may take several attempts to tie this difficult knot correctly. Practice it a few times before wearing it in public. Remember, this is an exaggeratedly extravagant knot that should only be worn for dramatic effect.
With a knot so flashy, your tie and outfit needs to be as muted and simple as possible.
The eye-catching effect of the knot is best displayed with solid colored or subtly patterned ties. Avoid using a striped tie for this knot – the stripes will make the knot look out of balance and very busy.
Before you begin with the step by step instructions below, follow these preparatory steps:
- Secure the top button of your shirt and raise the collar up.
- Drape the necktie around your collar with the wide end on your right and the thin end on your left with the seams facing down.
- Ensure at each step that all the slack is pulled out and the knot. You will find it difficult to adjust an extra bit of slack once you’ve layered the tie on an earlier step.
How To Tie The Eldredge Knot – Step By Step Guide
- Drape the necktie around your collar, with the thick end on the right exactly where you want it to hang when the knot is completed.
- Pinch the wide end of the tie to form a dimple and cross the thin end in front of the thick end as horizontally as possible.
- Wrap the thin end around behind the cross-shape, crossing horizontally from right to left.
- Tuck the thin end through the loop around your collar.
- Bring the thin end horizontally across the thick end.
- Tuck the tip of the thin end up through the loop around your collar and flip it over the top of the knot, crossing diagonally downward from left to right. Pull it down snug to form a diagonal band along the right side of the knot.
- Bring the thin end around behind the back of the knot and up through the diagonal band.
- Feed through and pull tight to create a diagonal band on each side.
- Aim the thin end of the tie straight upward, then tuck it down beneath the loop around your collar, emerging to the right of the knot.
- Loop the thin end of the tie up and around the circle around your collar. Leave a little bit of slack in this step.
- Tuck the tip of the thin end down and to the left, underneath the loop around your neck, and up through the loop you just created.
- Flip the thin end over the top of the loop around your collar.
- Tuck the remainder of the thin end out of sight, either behind the thick end or by sliding it horizontally under the loop around your neck. Tighten if needed by pulling the thick end and adjust each diagonal band to roughly the same width.
The Eldredge is a difficult knot to tie so don’t worry if you don’t get it the first time. The result is worth it as it helps people remember you. If you're finding it tough going, why not start with something a little easier?
Click here to discover the 17 other tie knots every stylish guy should know.
