Every Day I'm Ruffling

Every Day I'm Ruffling Knit Shawl Pattern

What Is Being Made

Every Day I'm Ruffling is a crescent-shaped knit shawl designed by Jem Arrowsmith, inspired by the ruffled and frilled fashion aesthetics of the 1980s. This beginner-friendly pattern combines a structured body section with a dramatic ruffled border, creating a versatile layering piece that balances playful design with practical wearability.

Construction and Techniques

The shawl is worked in two distinct sections using different techniques and needle sizes to achieve specific effects. The body of the shawl is knit from side to side in a crescent shape, creating a comfortable curved silhouette. Eyelets are strategically placed throughout the body section, adding visual interest and texture against the smooth stockinette background.

Once the body is complete, stitches are picked up along the curved edge of the crescent. The border section features increases that are worked progressively to build up the dramatic ruffle that defines this design. To achieve the proper amount of flounce and create an airy, breezy appearance, the ruffle section is worked using larger needles than those used for the body. This needle size difference allows the stitches to spread out, creating openness and enhanced drape in the finished border.

The pattern includes a linked video tutorial demonstrating how to properly join the ruffled border to the body section, providing additional guidance for knitters working through this construction method.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – forms the smooth, primary fabric of the shawl body
• Eyelets – decorative holes worked into the body for visual texture and interest
• Increases – worked throughout the ruffle border to create the graduated flounce effect

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed to be worked in double knit (DK) weight yarn, which provides an ideal balance of weight and drape for layering. The yarn choice affects both the finished appearance and functionality of the shawl.

For the body section, a solid yarn color is recommended to best showcase the stockinette and eyelet details. The ruffle border is the perfect opportunity to express personal style through color choice – a bold or variegated colorway will allow the ruffled section to stand out as a design feature.

Yarn quantities vary depending on the desired ruffle intensity. A 100-gram skein of contrasting yarn will produce a sweet, modest frill, while 150 grams of yarn will create the flamboyant flourish shown in the pattern photography. Knitters will need two different needle sizes: smaller needles for the body section and larger needles for the border to achieve the characteristic airiness of the ruffle.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, Every Day I'm Ruffling is accessible to knitters new to shawl construction while remaining interesting for more experienced makers. The straightforward side-to-side body construction and basic stitch techniques make it an excellent introduction to shawl knitting, with the video tutorial providing additional support for the border joining technique.