The Ruffle Addendum

ABOUT

Sure, you're going to want to wear this silk-blend top as sleepwear, indulging in long mornings with cool sheets and a favorite novel without ever getting out of bed. And you totally can.

Or, you can power up with your favorite tailored suit, take your coffee to go, and conquer the world. The choice is yours.

With signature fine finishing (that twisted rib hem! that sleek i-cord edging! look at that little baby-doll tie!) and a quick knitting silhouette, you're going to get to do some really fun stuff with this knit.

Make this one your own by leaving off the ruffle or omitting the tie. Maybe you've been thinking about getting around to learning how to add short rows? Optional short row shaping (in multiple sizes) will take your knitting fit game to the next level.

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CONSTRUCTION

The Ruffle Addendum is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed, and has gentle A-line shaping.

Trim options:

Simple i-cord edging
I-cord tie
Ruffle, with or without tie

Fit options:

Choice of 4 bust shaping sizes, fully written out, or omit short rows (pictured)
Instructions included to modify length
Instructions included to modify bust shaping location

SIZES

A (B, C, D) [E, F, G] (H, I, J)

To fit upper chest: 28 (32.75, 36, 39.25) [42.5, 45.75, 49] (52.25, 55.5, 58.75) inches / 70 (82, 90, 98) [106.5, 114.5, 122.5] (130.5, 139, 147) cm

Finished full bust: 29 (32.75, 37, 40.75) [45, 48.75, 53] (56.75, 61, 64.75) inches / 72.5 (82, 92.5, 102) [112.5, 122, 132.5] (142, 152.5, 162) cm

YOUR BEST FIT

I recommend choosing a size based on your upper chest measurement. Intended ease is approximately 1 inch / 2.5 cm at the full bust. For more information on choosing a size using your upper chest measurement, visit this blog post.

As shown in the sample, this piece has equal ease in the front and back. Knitters with breasts will find that this causes the front to tip up. Knitters who want their hem to stay parallel to the ground will want to knit short-row shaping, to create extra room for the breasts (measuring from our shoulders, a tape will have further to go to reach our waists in the front than it will the back, and short rows address this). The pattern includes fully-detailed instructions, in multiple sizes, to knit short rows.

Sample shown in Size D, with no short rows, with approximately 1 inch / 2.5 cm of ease at the full bust.

Download the Schematic

"I appreciate the attention to details in shaping that Jen has included to make sure that I ended up with the fit I wanted.

Knowing that adding bust shaping meant that I’d end up with an even bottom hem was a lightbulb moment. This is a skill I’m happy I was able to establish with clear directions here that I can use going forward. Much like developing a photo in the darkroom there was some magic involved in seeing how that extra fabric takes shape to accommodate bodies with breasts.

If you’ve ever contemplated whether a fingering weight garment is worth the time, this is a great one to start with. Same goes for seaming, this one is really straightforward and the bit of structure that it adds to the finished garment is worth it. It’s a versatile piece, wearing it alone or under or over another garment, it’s going to be a very comfortable and useful addition to my wardrobe."

-Jenni, tester

Jenni knit size F, full bust adjustment 4, using Knit Picks Gloss Fingering. She was between sizes based on upper chest measurement, and sized down, adding fabric to accommodate her bust via the full bust adjustment.

TECHNIQUES

Working directional increases and decreases
Working a sloped bind-off (optional)
Picking up and working stitches
Knitting lace
Knitting on an i-cord edging
Knitting an i-cord
Seaming
Recognizing a knit and purl on the needle

MATERIALS

Stitch markers (at least two removable)
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

30 sts and 40 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch with size A needles.

39 sts and 43 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in Half-twisted Rib with size B needles

Stephanie knit size D, with no short row shaping. Faith knit size F, with no short row shaping.

YARN

Sweet Sparrow Hummingbird

50% superwash merino / 50% silk;
438 yds / 400 m per 100 g skein

Shown in colorway Clove

This 4-ply fingering weight yarn has a beautiful shine, ample drape, and is sleep-in-it-next-to-the-skin soft. It has a touch of a gentle halo, little loft, and is relatively slippery.

With the Ruffle

820 (915, 1020, 1120) [1220, 1320, 1435] (1545, 1660, 1775) yds / 750 (835, 930, 1020) [1115, 1210, 1310] (1410, 1520, 1625) m; 2 (3, 3, 3) [3, 4, 4] (4, 4, 5) skeins

Without the Ruffle

690 (785, 885, 985) [1080, 1180, 1290] (1400, 1515, 1625) yds / 635 (715, 810, 895) [985, 1080, 1180] (1275, 1385, 1485) m; 2 (2, 3, 3) [3, 3, 3] (4, 4, 4) skeins

Note: adding short rows will require modest amounts of additional yarn, not included in figures above.

"Knitting The Ruffle Addendum was process knitter heaven. With all of the attention to detail, you end up creating something really special. Picking up my WIP always brought me into a wonderful little world of technique, working towards the next step, and an addictive focus that allowed me to get totally lost in my knitting.

I find this pattern so wearable. While knitting, I was already putting together outfits and styling options in my head. This was such a fun motivator to finish! Without the ruffle, you have a totally modern, wearable, dress up or down kind of garment. With the ruffle, you have a romantic, magical moment happening. Can’t go wrong, but I ended up choosing to omit the ruffle. I put this over a white blouse and navy wide-leg pants and I feel like I have my power suit on! But it’s a fun little number with skinny jeans and ballet flats, too. The drawstring, tied into a bow, is the perfect touch.

One of my favorite features, the a-line shaping, is a rare treat to find in a knitting pattern. The twisted rib, another favorite feature, is a labor of love that ends up being well worth the effort. So many things come together to make The Ruffle Addendum an asset to any wardrobe!"

- Cassandra, tester

Cassandra knit size H with no full bust adjustment.