One of the easiest borders to add to your Simple Knit Triangle Shawl base is a ruffle. Hot right now, the ruffle adds a feminine touch to any knit garment. It does take a little patience as you will end up with more stitches on your needle that you ever thought possible!
Step 1: Complete a Simple Knit Triangle Shawl to your desired length…. 12″to 18″ from center for a scarf/capelet, 24″ to 30″ for a shawl/poncho. This measurement is from the back neck center stitch to your needle. The actual width of your shawl is twice that measurement. The blue shawl measures approx. 26″ and used approx. 200 yards of yarn.
As we continue, always maintain the two stitch garter plus yarn over edge on both sides. Discontinue center increases.
Step 2 (decorative optional row): On the next right side row, k 2, slip marker (sl m), yo, *(knit two together, yo) across to marker, ending with a yo at marker, sl m, k2. Next row (WS): k2, sl m, purl to marker, sl m, k2.
Step 3: This is where things get interesting! Change to a 36″ – 40″ circular needle of the same needle size. Next row (RS): k2, sl m, yo, knit in front and back of each stitch across to marker, yo, sl m, k2. You have now virtually doubled the stitches on your needle! If necessary, change to longer double pointed needle of the same size and stockinette stitch the next 4 rows being sure to maintain your garter stitch/yarn over border.
Step 4: Get ready to double your stitches again! Seriously! Next row (RS): k2, sl m, yo, knit in front and back of each stitch across to marker, yo, sl m, k2. Continue in stockinette stitch for an inch to 5 inches depending upon the width of the ruffle you prefer. The blue ruffle measures 4 inches from the bottom of the decorative eyelet row to this point.
Step 5: In order to discourage the stockinette stitch ruffle from curling as stockinette stitch is inclined to do, I added another eyelet row (rs) and three rows of garter stitch. Bind off all stitches loosely knitwise. The ruffle of this shawl used an additional 500 yards of yarn.
Step 6: Sew in all loose ends.
Voila! A triangle shawl with knitted on ruffle! Enjoy!
Click here for a printable pdf on Ravelry!