No Ruffles Ruff
Needles: Size 50 US Yarn: Ruffle yarn, such as: Broadway, by Euro Yarns (33 yards) Pirouette, by Patons North America (20-24 yards) Sashay—any type, by Red Heart (22-30 yards) Gauge: varies by yarn Size: Youth, Small, Large -may vary by yarn or tension Start by wrapping clean rubber bands around the ends of your needle, against the head. [Because your loops are large and your yarn is flexible, it wants to slide off the end while you are busy knitting. The rubber band loops provide resistance.]
CAST ON
Before casting on, wrap yarn around your needle (18, 22, 25) times. Make slipknot for long tail cast on. This tail is the SHORT part of the stitch, i.e. the one that is NoT wrapped around the needle when you finish the cast on stitch. For many people, this is the loop around your thumb. When you finish casting on, there should be 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) left in the tail.
BODY
All Rows: Knit all stitches. Yarns with 22-24 yards knit 4-6 rows. Yarns with 30-33 yards knit 8-10 rows. Variation is encouraged, but you MusT knit an EVEN number of rows. You must have at least 1 yard/meter left after bind-off, too.
BIND OFF
Bind off row must start on the side cast on tail hangs from. The bind off tail must end OPPOSITE the cast on tail.
FINISHING
The two tails will make ties to attach the ruff ends. Tie off tails with slipknots close to knitting to secure. On each side: Weave ends towards the center of edges. Secure with slipknot around the edge stitch. Make a loop, then slipknot the end around the edge stitch next to the previous slipknot. Yes, you knot at the end, then weave through. Yes, you knot the loops. These ties have to stay on! After making tie loops on each side, your ruff is ready!
