Page 394 - The Ashley Book of Knots
P. 394
FANCY KNOTS
person who thought that the name was in some way descriptive of
the manner of tying, and that two people with four hands were
required for the job.
The simplest way to knot the FOUR-IN-HAND is to form an OVER- z407
HAND KNOT with the wider end and to reeve the more attenuated end
through the knot.
2408. A fuller and handsoml not is formed, however, by bring-
ing the wider end twice around the narrower end, then reeving it
up beside the neck, finally sticking it down under the outer one of
the first two turns. This is the common FOUR-IN-HAND KNOT, called
ly M. Le Blanc "the CRAVAT KNOT." It must be worked and prodded
before perfection is attained.
Every few years scarfpins are worn with this tie. But when the
pins have grown so conspicuous that they transcend good taste the
scarfpin is relegated for another period to the tack room or the
jewel box, to stay in quod until another generation comes along.
The knot has the same form as the BUNTLINE HITCH.
2409. If the material of a FOUR-IN-HAND tie lacks substance it may
be passed three times instead of twice when starting the knot. The
end, however, in the final tucking down is passed only under the
last or u per turn. This knot bulks much larger than the one last
describe.
2410. The STOCK. M. Le Blanc terms this tie and method "En Cas-
cade." The stock is middled at the throat and then one end goes
around the neck, one part passing above the other, at the nape. At the
front a GRANNY KNOT is tied, care being taken that all parts are flat
and fair. The upper end is turned directly down over the lower or
smaller end and the scarfpin holds everything firm after the folds
have been carefully arranged.
If the knot is to be tied around a collar the tie is merely passed
around the back of the neck and either a HALF KNOT or a GRANNY
KNOT tied at the front before adjusting the pin.
M. Le Blanc credits Lord Byron with being the first to cross a
tie at the nape of the neck instead of (stockwise) at the front.
2410
