So you’re headed to the hockey rink, the winter sport that’s as much about style as it is about hockey skills. You’ve got your stick, your gloves, and your jersey – now what?
It’s time to tie up those hockey jersey sleeves and ensure that your hands are properly protected from the biting cold wind, but how, exactly, should you tie a hockey jersey?
Fortunately, we’re here to help with seven different ways to tie a hockey jersey that will keep your hands warm and comfortable while also ensuring that you look chic and stylish.
Table of Contents
The Classic Windsor
Traditionally, the Windsor knot has been used to tie the chest, arms, and neck of a man’s sweater or sports jacket. You can also use this technique to tie the collar of a woman’s blouse or a woman’s cardigan. While this type of knot is suitable for any occasion, it’s especially effective for hockey since it provides a way to keep your hands warm while also displaying your team’s colors.
To tie a Windsor knot, begin by doubling one strand of your thread. Begin at the bottom of the knot and pull your thread toward the center, creating a tiny slipknot. Now, gently tug on the ends of your thread, creating a tight but neat knot. Once you’ve achieved this stage, you can proceed to the next step, which is to secure the opposite end of your thread with a slipknot. Pull your threads up and over your head until you form a loop. Now you can adjust the size of the loop by simply tugging on the ends of your thread. To finish your Windsor knots, simply trim off any excess thread.
The Reverse Windsor
The reverse Windsor is exactly what it sounds like – a reverse version of the Windsor knot. Instead of creating a traditional knot, you will start with two loose ends that are then crossed and hooked together. Once you’ve achieved this, you can proceed to the next step, which is to tightly wind the ends of your thread around each other. The more you wind, the smaller the finished knot will be. After you’ve formed the desired number of windings, secure the opposite ends of your thread with a slipknot. Finally, trim off any excess thread.
This technique is perfect for those seeking a more unique look or for those who want a less traditional gift. The cross-threaded reverse Windsor is sure to bring a smile to any recipient’s face.
The Double Windsor
The double Windsor is two traditional Knots tied together. Begin by tying your first Windsor knot, as described above. Once you’ve got that down, loop your thread and tie a second Windsor knot. Trim off any excess thread.
This technique is ideal for those seeking a more extravagant look or for those in need of a practical gift. Two traditional knots tied together – what’s not to love?
The Claw-on-Claw Knot
This one’s for nature lovers – or for those who just adore the way that animals snarl and claw at each other. The Claw-on-Claw Knot is formed by intertwining the four limbs of your thread. Start with two strands that are parallel to each other. Cross one strand over the other and hold the two crossing strands together as you would a pair of shears. Gently tug on one end of your thread and the four limbs will form a distinctive “claw” pattern.
You can use this technique to create various animals, such as a snake, a crab, or an alligator, making this a practical yet unique gift. Just make sure that your gift-giver is suitably frightened of your playful handiwork!
The Overhand Knot
This one is easy to achieve, even for those of us who are not necessarily gifted with superior knot-tying skills. Begin by taking one strand of your thread, and grab the other three around your index finger. Cross your index finger over the strand you’re holding and pull the end of your thread until the two crossed strands are taut. You can now pull the strands apart, creating a unique pattern on your fingertips. The more you pull, the smaller the pattern will be.
The smaller the pattern, the looser the knot will be. If you want a tighter knot, just pull more firmly. Overhand knots are easy to undo, so be careful not to overdo it and end up with something that can’t be easily undone.
The Carrick Carrick
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to tie a gift, then consider the Carrick Carrick. Named after Queen Victoria’s royal engineer, this technique utilizes a series of knots tied behind the back of your gift recipient. To start, take your thread in your hands and fold it in half. Place the edge of one of the halves on your stomach and bring the two ends together, forming a loop. Now you can proceed to the next step, which is to cross one strand over the other and pull the ends toward your belly. Tug gently and the loop will tighten around your stomach. To secure your gift, you can either tie a slipknot or continue pulling until the loop is snug around your stomach. Once you’ve tied up your gift, trim the ends of your thread and enjoy the personalized gift tag.
The Half-Hitch
Here’s a quick and easy way to tie a gift that doesn’t require you to loop your thread around your finger like a claw or an alligator’s jaw. Instead, the Half-Hitch technique creates a loop at each end of your thread and then proceeds to simply cross the two loops together. To secure your gift, bring the ends of your thread together and form a slipknot. Now you can pull on the ends of your thread to tighten the knot and enjoy your personalized gift tag.
The Reef Knot
This one is mostly for old-school hockey players who want to keep their hands warm in the frigid winter wind. Begin by taking a length of fishing line and folding it in half. Cross one end over the other and pull the ends tight. Now you can trim off any excess fishing line.
This technique is effective because water molecules are large, thus providing more thermal mass than oxygen molecules. Therefore, your hands will stay warmer for longer if you use this method.
The Lark’s Head
The Lark’s Head is named after a type of knitted hat created in the 1800s; however, this technique has been used for hundreds of years to make lace doilies, tablecloths, and other types of delicate cloths. Begin by winding one strand of your thread into a small boucle. Take a second, thinner strand and wind that around the first strand, crossing the ends of your thread. Holding the strands snugly together, continue winding until you’ve formed a long cord. You can now divide the cord into three equal pieces and tightly wind each section around a finger. When you’re finished, you can use a blunt needle or the tip of your finger to smooth out any rough spots on your work.
This technique is ideal for creating soft materials, such as fabric for clothing or furniture, and is also effective for adding texture to your crafts. Be careful not to overdo it and make your cord too thick; otherwise, you may have a hard time tugging it apart once you’ve finished knotting it!
The Figure-eight
This is one of the classic tying methods that’s been around for centuries. Simply take one strand of your thread in your hands and make a loop. Cross the strand over itself and pull the ends toward you. You can use this technique to create a cable pattern on your skin or other areas of your body that you deem worthy. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can make a knot with any number of limbs that you’d like and enjoy the unique pattern that your skin will present in the process.
This technique is practical for those seeking unique holiday ornaments or for those in need of a quick and easy way to make something unique and pretty. You can make various animals with this technique, such as a turtle, a cat, or an alligator – just be careful not to overdo it and have more than four limbs!