• Rows of Ruffles: A Tutorial

Rows of Ruffles: A Tutorial

If you're looking to do some major spring stash cleaning, try making some of these easy ruffles. This tutorial will show you a few easy methods, each resulting with a slightly different look. You can make single ruffles, or get a little daring and add layers of them. Use them as an embellishment, or incorporate them into a simple scarflette to create a look that's uniquely yours.

The Basic Ruffle

This ruffle is worked in stockinette stitch, requiring simple knit 2 together (k2tog) and purl 2 together (p2tog) decreases over two rows of your work. You would cast on four times the number of stitches required. In the example below, we've chosen to cast on 80 stitches, so we can arrive at 20 stitches, which would make a pretty edging for a scarf.

Single Basic Ruffle

Single basic ruffle.

Next row (RS): K2tog across.

Next row: P2tog across.

To make a double ruffle, you would work the basic ruffle above, and then work two additional rows in stockinette stitch. Leave the work on needle and place aside. With a new needle, work a new basic ruffle; then work in stockinette stitch for eight more rows. With right sides facing, place the needle holding the shorter ruffle on top of the needle holding the longer ruffle as shown in the photo below. Knit the first stitch of each needle together. Repeat across row.

Working two ruffles together with a third needle.	Completed double ruffle.

Two-color ruffle with ribbing.

Another variation: Work the first few rows of your ruffle in garter stitch; knit every row and then finish off in stockinette stitch. If you decide to make your ruffle into a scarf, just keep on knitting every row in garter stitch to echo the edging.

Basic Frill

Very similar to the single basic ruffle but with a slightly different look, the basic frill is achieved by working the decreases in a slightly different manner. Below are instructions for working a single frill and an example of working a double frill to add layers of luxurious ruffles.

Single Frill

Cast on 4 times the finished number of sts required.

Row 1 (RS): *K2, lift 2nd st over first st and off right-hand needle, rep from * to end.

Row 2: *P2tog, rep from * to end.

Scarflette with three layers of frills.

Double Frill

Cast on 4 times the finished number of sts required. Three knitting needles are required.

Work the single frill, followed by two rows of stockinette stitch. Leave the work on needle, and place aside. With a new needle, work a new frill. Then, work in stockinette stitch for eight more rows. With right sides facing, place the needle holding the shorter frill on top of the needle holding the longer frill. Knit the first stitch of each needle together. Repeat across row.

Short-Row Welted Ruffle

Don't let the words "short row" scare you! We promise: no picking up wraps on this easy technique. Instead of working the width of the ruffle, this method works lengthwise, and you simply work the ruffle as long as desired.

Short-Row Welted Ruffle

Cast on 9 sts.

Welted short-row ruffle.

Row 2: P6 and turn, k6.

Row 3: P6, k3.

Row 4: K3, p6.

Row 5: K6 and turn, p6.

Row 6: Knit.

Repeat these 6 rows for your desired length.

You can add a lot of variety to this technique by making multiple welted ruffles in varying stitch counts, and then sew them together as shown in these examples below.

Layers of short-row ruffles.	Variation of a short-row welted ruffle.

Hopefully this gives you a little taste of the multitude of looks that you can create by playing around with some basic ruffles. Don't be afraid to pick up those needles and start swatching!