In their book, "The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie" (published 1999), researchers Thomas Fink and Yong Mao of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory, used mathematical modeling to discover that eighty-five (85) knots are possible with a conventional tie (limiting the number of moves to nine). For the most part, there are five main knots used to knot neckties. The simplest is the small knot, although the four-in-hand knot, may be the most common. The others (in order of difficulty) are the Pratt knot, the half-Windsor knot, and the Windsor knot.

Here at Ties2Pillows.com our goal is not just to sell mens ties and tie related products such as handmade pillowsand sachets made from men's ties, but to also provide our customers with educational material such as instructions on how to tie a tie. Tying a tie is no easy feat, so we hope the following information on how to tie a tie will help. Learning how to tie a tie is just the beginning; why not also step into our virtual store front to check out all the interesting new neckties and vintage ties we've found in our travels. We carry designer ties, novelty ties, skinny ties and wide ties from the 1920's to the present, even flat bottom ties, big and tall ties, and clip-on ties, so you'll be sure to find what you're looking for, and you might even surprise yourself once you see the sheer number and variety available. Keep in mind that unlike large scale retailers, we carry only one of each tie, so act quickly when you find that special necktie for yourself or it may just disappear.

Information and diagrams courtesy of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necktie
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Tie_A_Tie