Rowan Frilly Collar Accessory Knitting Pattern

Rowan Frilly Collar by Jennie Atkinson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Frilly Collar is an elegant knitted accessory designed to add decorative detail to necklines. This downloadable pattern creates a finished collar measuring approximately 35 cm (14 inches) around the neck edge, excluding ties. The design combines delicate lace work with beaded embellishment, making it a sophisticated accessory suitable for formal or dressy occasions.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting pattern that employs advanced lace-knitting techniques to create an intricate, openwork design. The collar features a combination of increases and decreases that form decorative eyelet patterns characteristic of fine lace work. The pattern also incorporates beading techniques, where individual beads are integrated directly into the knitted fabric during construction, adding sparkle and visual interest to the finished piece.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Knit (K) – Basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – Creates eyelet holes and increases within the lace pattern
• Knit two together (K2tog) – Right-leaning decrease used throughout the lace motifs
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) – Left-leaning decrease creating balanced lace shaping
• Knit three together (K3tog) – Double decrease used for shaping transitions
• Bead placement – Beads are worked into the fabric using a specialized beading technique, with beads positioned strategically throughout the pattern for decorative effect
• Cast off – Binding off stitches to finish edges
• Short-row shaping – The pattern uses turning points (indicated by "and turn") to create three-dimensional shaping and structured edges

Materials Required

Yarn: One 50-gram ball of Rowan Fine Lace yarn in Vintage 926 (the photographed colorway)

Needles: One pair of 2¾mm (US 2) needles for the main knitting, plus a 2.00mm (US B1) crochet hook for finishing or bead attachment

Beads: A total of 291 beads are required. The pattern specifies three packs of Swarovski Black Diamond Selection faceted crystal beads (4mm size, art no 9825101-00004), with each pack containing 100 beads

Tension and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a specific tension using 2¾mm (US 2) needles. One complete pattern repeat, which measures 20 stitches and increases then decreases back to the original stitch count, is approximately 9 cm (3½ inches) wide. Four repeats of the pattern, measured over 48 rows, should measure 7.5 cm (3 inches) along the shorter-row edge. Achieving correct tension is important for the collar to fit properly around the neck and for the lace motifs to have the intended appearance and drape.

Design Features

The Rowan Frilly Collar showcases intricate lace patterning with regular increases and decreases that create an openwork aesthetic. The integration of 291 Swarovski crystal beads throughout the design adds luxury and sparkle, elevating this accessory beyond a simple knitted collar. The short-row shaping technique creates a structured, three-dimensional form that sits elegantly at the neckline. The pattern requires careful attention to bead placement and stitch manipulation, making it suitable for knitters with intermediate to advanced lace-knitting experience.