Vintage Double Edging Collar in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran - A192 - Downloadable PDF

Vintage Double Edging Collar in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran

What Is Being Made

This is a vintage-inspired knitted collar accessory designed by Susie Bonell. The finished piece measures 40 inches by 9 inches when blocked, making it a generous collar that can be worn as a decorative neckpiece. The collar features an elegant double edging pattern with delicate openwork details created through strategic yarn overs and decreases, giving it a refined, heirloom quality suitable for dressing up garments or wearing as a standalone accessory.

Construction and Techniques

The collar is worked widthwise in a single continuous piece, meaning you knit across the width rather than knitting in the round or from top to bottom. This construction method creates a seamless, unified fabric. The pattern begins with a simple garter stitch foundation of 4 rows before transitioning into the decorative double edging pattern. The design incorporates strategic yarn overs and decreases that create an openwork lace effect while maintaining structural integrity. A key technical detail involves working singular purl stitches into the second of two consecutive yarn overs from the previous row, which adds visual interest and texture variation to the pattern.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined to create visual complexity:

• Knit (K) – the primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P) – used strategically in specific rows to create texture and definition
• Yarn Over (YO) – creates deliberate holes and openwork sections that define the lace pattern
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease that balances yarn overs and shapes the pattern
• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – the primary fabric structure combining knit and purl rows
• Garter Stitch – used in the foundation rows for a textured edge
• Slip Stitch (Sl) – used at the beginning of rows for a finished edge

Materials and Specifications

The collar is designed to be crafted with Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash® Aran, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 100% superwash merino wool. One skein in color #1958 provides sufficient yardage; each skein contains 150 yards and weighs 3.5 ounces. The superwash treatment makes this collar easy to care for, as it can be machine washed without felting. Size #9 needles are used to achieve the specified gauge of 16 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Additionally, the pattern calls for matching ribbon measuring 1¾ yards in a 3/8-inch width, which is incorporated into the finished collar, likely as an edging or backing element. A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends and potentially attaching the ribbon.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. While it uses basic knitting stitches, the pattern requires attention to detail, particularly when working the double edging pattern rows with their multiple yarn overs and decreases. Knitters should be comfortable reading stitch abbreviations, maintaining consistent gauge, and understanding how yarn overs and decreases interact to create lace effects. The widthwise construction and the specific instruction about working purl stitches into the second of consecutive yarn overs demand careful pattern following.

Design Credits

This pattern was designed by Susie Bonell and is presented as a free downloadable PDF by Cascade Yarns. The design is copyrighted to Cascade Yarns as of 2014.