Tahki Yarns Romance Ruffle Collar Shell Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Romance Ruffle Collar Shell

What Is Being Made

The Romance Ruffle Collar Shell is a sleeveless cardigan featuring a distinctive ruffle collar detail. Designed by Irina Poludnenko, this garment is worked as a fitted shell with a decorative ruffled neckline element. Available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, the finished bust measurements span from 36 inches (91.5 cm) for Small up to 60½ inches (153.5 cm) for 3X, with lengths varying from 21 inches (53.5 cm) to 23½ inches (59.5 cm) depending on size.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the neckline. The pattern uses a seamed construction approach, with separate front and back pieces that are later joined together. All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row knitting before seaming the shoulders and side seams.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Romance Ruffle Collar Shell features a textured pattern stitch that alternates between knit and purl columns to create visual interest. The primary stitch pattern is established in Row 1 with a repeating sequence of purl and knit stitches: P1, then repeating *p8 (9, 8, 9, 8, 9), k8 (9, 8, 9, 8, 9)* across, ending with k1. Row 2 is worked by knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches as they appear, maintaining the textured pattern throughout.

The pattern incorporates several fundamental knitting techniques:

• K1-f/b (Knit 1 front and back): An increase stitch worked by knitting into the front of a stitch, then knitting into the back of the same stitch to create one additional stitch
• K2tog (Knit 2 together): A right-leaning decrease worked by knitting two stitches together through the front loops
• M1 (Make 1): An invisible increase created by lifting the strand between needles onto the left-hand needle and working it through the back loop
• M1p (Make 1 purlwise): A purlwise version of the Make 1 increase, inserting the left-hand needle under a loop two rows below the last stitch worked and purling it
• P2tog (Purl 2 together): A left-leaning decrease worked by purling two stitches together through the front loops

Shaping is achieved through strategic decreases worked on right-side rows to create fitted armholes and neckline shaping. The pattern includes binding off stitches for neck and shoulder shaping, with simultaneous decreases at neck edges to create a refined neckline opening for the ruffle collar feature.

Materials and Tools

The Romance Ruffle Collar Shell is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns RIPPLE, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. The yardage requirements range from 5 balls for the smallest size to 10 balls for the largest size. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 142 yards (130 meters) of yarn. The pattern sample shown uses color #26 fawn, a neutral tone suitable for versatile styling.

The recommended needle size is US 7 (4.5mm). Knitters will need one pair of size 7 straight needles for working the flat pieces, plus one size 7 circular needle measuring 29 inches (74 cm) long, which is used for the ruffle collar construction. Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for seaming the finished pieces together and weaving in ends.

The gauge for this project is 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) when worked in the pattern stitch with slight stretching. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements, and knitters are advised to knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project.