Self-ruffling yarns like Flounce from our Knitting Fever line and Triana from Katia  have been popular for a number of years now. Almost as soon as a local yarn store gets them on the shelf they sell out!

The appeal is understandable.

This style yarn comes in a variety of colors and textures and some even have metallic thread for extra interest. Some of the yarns have a mesh construction which you knit or crochet by opening flat and inserting your hook or needle through the holes in the mesh. Others have a ladder yarn on one edge and fibers on the other. This style you work through the holes of the ladder with the fibers create the body of the project.

You can learn more about some of the self-ruffling yarns we represent and see a video about how to work with them in this blog post.

While the quickest and easiest project to make with any of these yarns is a scarf (most people report being able to finish one in between two to four hours), people are starting to explore the potential of these yarns for uses ranging from trim to entire garments.

Here are a few that have caught our eye.

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012, photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com

This stunning garment is the “Ruffle Wrap Cardigan” designed by  Cheryl Murray. The pattern is in the Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2012 issue. You can see a preview of the issue on the Vogue Knitting website.

The sweater is sized for Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large

The body is knit using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (Amounts: 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) balls in #9 gray) while the trim is Circulo Tecido Trico Animal (Amounts: 1 hank in #2631 gray leopard).

Tecido Trico is a 100% Polyester fabric ribbon available in a variety of flower and animal prints. Can’t get your head around knitting with fabric ribbon? Learn more about it in this blog post, which includes a how-to video.

Cashmerino Aran is a soft, 55% Merino Wool, 33% Microfiber Acrylic, 12% Cashmere blend available in a rainbow of colors. Have fun mixing and matching the yarns to create a unique look all your own.

Trimmed in Trico

Use either Renda Trico or Tecido Trico as trim

For a more casual look, try your hand at one of these Trico trimmed shrugs, which are available as free patterns on our website.

The one on the left uses a flower print of Tecido Trico for the trim compared to the animal print used in the Vogue Knitting sweater. The body of that shrug is Debbie Bliss Cotton DK, a 100% Cotton yarn available in 20 colors. You can download this version of the shrug pattern here.

The shrug on the right uses Renda Trico for the trim. This is a lace version of the fabric ribbon from Circulo. It is available in 14 colors. The body of the black shrug is knit using Sublime Lustrous Extrafine Merino DK, a 67% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 33% Nylon blend that is available in 10 colors. You can download the black shrug pattern here.

Although the body of both shrugs is simple garter stitch the patterns are recommended for an intermediate knitter because of the unique construction technique. But don’t let that deter you! Help can always be found at your local yarn store or at your knit/crochet group.

Dress up a store bought top

For something a little different (and quicker) have a go at dressing up a store bought top by adding a fun Tecido trimmed collar. Download the guidelines for this project here.

Tutu Cute!

Ruffled Tutu Skirt by Ewetopia Fiber Shop

But why should grown-ups have all the fun?

This adorable Ruffled Tutu Skirt for a toddler is from Ewetopia Fiber shop, which is out in Wisconsin. They are generously allowing us to share the pattern with you for free!

The version shown here is using Bossa Nova yarn from Katia. This 72% Cotton, 28% Nylon blend is available in eight colors. (We have a free Bossa Nova Scarf pattern on our website, too.)

This Tutu skirt looks equally cute using a yarn with a larger mesh like Rumples or Triana.

It’s In The Bag

Ruffles Galore Purse by Unwind, A Yarn Shop

These yarns are also great for accessories.

The Ruffles Galore Purse comes to us from Unwind, a Yarn Shop, which is located in Oklahoma. They are generously allowing us to share the free pattern with you! It uses Tecido Trico and a coordinating worsted weight yarn of your choice.

When working this pattern remember that the Tecido Trico yarn with automatically form the ruffle as you work with it. When the pattern says “knit ruffle” there isn’t really a pattern stitch to be worrying about since it will happen automatically.

Evening in Paris Purse by Knitting On The Fringe

The Evening in Paris Purse was designed by Knitting on the Fringe, which is located in Michigan, using Flounce yarn. You can buy the pattern on their website. If none of the Flounce colors catch your eye, consider using Rumples, Triana, or Tricor instead. Or jazz it up with one of the metallic versions of those yarn such as Flounce Metallic, Triana Lux, or Broadway.

Ruffles Incognito

Quick Knit Capelet by Knitting On The Fringe

Keep in mind that with most of these self ruffling yarns you have the option of toning down the ruffles by not opening the mesh.

You can see this in action on the Quick Knit Capelet by Knitting On The Fringe. This pattern is also available for purchase on their website. It was knit using Triana yarn, but instead of opening the mesh they treated it as a traditional bulky yarn.

Another option is to open the mesh occasionally to create ruffles in targeted places.

It is also possible to open the mesh to take advantage of the lacy effect created, but not have ruffles, as seen in the Kelp Forest Shawlette by karinknits designs, which is a free pattern on Ravelry. She includes a link to a helpful video with both knit and crochet instructions on the Ravlery project page.

I hope these projects have inspired you to think beyond scarves when you are considering using these fun self-ruffling yarns.

Have you already tried them out for trim or other projects? Share a picture on our Facebook wall, we love to see the creative things you are making!