I thought it would be fun to post an idea of a something you can make with kids for their dads. This tie may not be an everyday tie, but I have no doubt my dad would have worn it to work occasionally to show off how awesome and loving his kids are. It is not an extremely difficult project, once you get the hang of it, but gets repetitive, so is probably best for kids on the patient side.

This one says “NATAL,” because it was a gift someone made for my husband while he was living in Natal, Brazil. Depending on what you feel your kids are ready for, you can make it one solid color, stripes of color, spell out “dad,” put his initials, or an intricate pattern of your choice.

Quick tips to get you started:

1. (Photo shows the back view) This tie is equal width throughout its length, except for BOTH ends, which taper to a point (dropping 1 bead at a time).
2. See close up for weaving pattern.
3. (Photo shows the back view) At the top of the tie, on the last row before it begins to taper,  pass through an appropriate length of sturdy memory wire to form the collar.
4. String the rest of the memory wire with beads and  create a hook on the side of the collar. Here it will be easy to reach, but concealed by the shirt collar.
5. (Photo shows the back view) Take the top of the tie (the tapered triangle remaining above the memory wire) and tuck it behind the tie. Where the apex of the triangle falls, pinch the sides of the tie together and secure the apex to both sides. This will form the “knot.”
6. 1.5 to 2 inches below the “knot,”  reinforce one row of bead with a length of sturdy wire so that the tie uncurls (from the knot) and lie flat.

This tie used faux pearls, but feel free to mix it up. This will be hanging from someone’s neck though, so whatever you choose, MAKE CERTAIN THE BEADS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT and that the holes are big enough for your memory wire.

Have Fun!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 at 9:30 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.