Delphine Dickie in Berroco Lucca - Downloadable PDF

Delphine Dickie by Amy Christoffers – Knitted Collar Piece in Berroco Lucca

The Delphine Dickie, designed by Amy Christoffers and published by Berroco, is an intermediate-level knitting pattern available as a downloadable PDF. This project produces a cozy, ribbed collar piece with finished dimensions of 16 inches wide by 10 inches long (not including the collar), making it a versatile accessory that sits at the intersection of a dickie and a collar — a wearable layer designed to add warmth and style at the neckline without the bulk of a full sweater.

Design Overview and Construction

The Delphine is a cleverly constructed knitted accessory that mimics the look of a turtleneck or high-collar layer when worn. Its compact finished size makes it an ideal quick knit for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills without committing to a full garment. The piece is worked flat in two separate pieces — a front and a back — which are then joined and worked in the round to create a seamless, tapered collar. This hybrid construction technique gives knitters experience with both flat and circular knitting within a single, manageable project.

Construction Method

• Flat knitting: Both the back and front panels are worked separately back and forth in rows until each measures 8 inches from the cast-on edge.
• Joining in the round: The front and back are then joined using a joining round that simultaneously begins shaping the shoulders and neck area.
• Circular knitting: A 16-inch / 40 cm circular needle is used throughout, which is particularly well-suited to the small circumference of the collar section worked in the round.
• Seamless shoulder shaping: Decreases are worked at both shoulder points on every round, creating a smooth, tapered transition from the body panels into the collar.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Delphine is a classic k2, p2 rib (knit 2, purl 2 ribbing), worked consistently from the cast-on edge through the collar. This stretchy, textured stitch pattern is a staple of knitted accessories and garments, prized for its elasticity and neat, structured appearance. The ribbing is set up on the wrong side and maintained as established throughout the piece, including through the transition from flat to circular knitting.

Key Stitches and Techniques

• K2, P2 Rib: The foundational stitch pattern used for the entire piece, creating a stretchy, form-fitting fabric ideal for a collar accessory.
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): A left-leaning decrease used at the beginning of decrease sections during shoulder and collar shaping.
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A right-leaning decrease paired with SSK to create symmetrical, mirrored shaping at both shoulder points.
• Flat knitting in rows: Used for the initial back and front panels, working right-side and wrong-side rows alternately.
• Joining and working in the round: After the flat panels are complete, stitches are joined for circular knitting to form the collar.
• Stitch markers: Two stitch markers are used to denote the beginning of the round and the shoulder join points, keeping decreases accurate and consistent.
• Stitch holder: The back panel stitches are placed on a holder while the front panel is worked, then returned to the needle for the joining round.
• Blocking: The gauge swatch — and by extension the finished piece — is measured after blocking, which is an important finishing step that opens up the ribbing and sets the final dimensions of the accessory.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Lucca, a yarn from the Berroco brand, in colorway #5825 Cranberry. Only 3 balls (each 50 grams) are required, making this an economical project that can often be completed with yarn left over from a larger project or purchased as a small, affordable bundle. Berroco