If you want the shoulders and the ties to match up, then you’ll probably need to have two balls and you will have to sacrifice some yarn to achieve the symmetry. If you’re using a variegated or a solid yarn, then one ball is sufficient.

This pattern allows you to choose between two methods of beginning the bib. One uses short rows and the other, more traditional way, requires you to cast on stitches at the
beginning of the first few rows of the pattern. The short row method is really easy and gives you a nice smooth line. There are also two methods for doing the ties. One has crocheted ties and the other method uses knitted I-cords. The crocheted ties are slightly thinner. If you do make the knitted ties, you can drop down a needle size when knitting the cords. I like to run a long tail down the center of the cord to finish it off. Be sure to use a straight needle and not one with a bent tip!