Ruffaluffagus is a playful ruffled tunic. It is knit with a bit of positive ease so the darling little recipient can grow into it and wear it for many months. This piece is light enough for spring and early summer wear, or it can be layered over a long sleeved onesie to transition into fall and winter, maximizing the use because babies grow so quickly!

The pattern is available in sizes ranging from 3 months-4yrs, and the 3 month -12 month sizes only use a single skein of most commercial sock yarns, so you might already have something fabulous in your stash! I used Luna Grey Fiber Arts Astro, a durable yarn with a gorgeous, subtle dye.

If you wish to make this pattern more like a dress, you might consider adding an additional inch before the sleeves. The tunic is worked from the bottom-up in one piece. The finishing involves a three needle bind off, sewing a hem, and weaving in ends.

This pattern is suitable for beginning knitters that are comfortable with increases and decreases, a three needle bind off, and short rows. The pattern includes links to resources to help with some of these techniques.

©Cassandra Dominick 2013. The pattern, photos, and illustrations contained in the pattern are subject to copyright protections. This pattern is for personal use only and may not be used for profit. You may not sell items made with this pattern. Merchants may not distribute this pattern freely or distribute it as part of a class freely without written permission of the author. Printing or downloading this pattern implies agreement with these terms.

Pattern updated 6/6/13 to make some wording clearer in the “Divide for Front and Back Section. Please make sure you have the revised version. I’m listing the changes below in case you have trouble updating the pattern. The changes are minor. The first is just a rearrangement of sentences so the decreases are more obvious.

On page 3:
Divide for front and back: From this point on you will be working on the front and back of the tunic separately. At beginning of next row, BO 2 stitches. Knit until marker. Place next 59 (62, 65, 68, 71, 80) stitches on a holder. These are the back of the garment.

Turn work so that you are looking at the WS of the front of the tunic. You will now be working stockinette flat (knit on RS, purl on WS). BO 2 st at the beginning of this row. On next RS, decrease one stitch at each armhole, 53 (57, 59, 63, 65, 75) stitches remaining. Repeat decrease 1 st on each shoulder every 4 (4, 6, 6, 8, 10) rows two times 49 (53, 55, 59, 61, 71) sts rem. You will continue in stockinette, with the exception of the 5 center broken rib sts for 12 (16, 18, 20, 20, 22) total rows, ending with a WS.

On page 4:
In the second paragraph, after the buttonhole the next sentence should read, “Work 1 more row, ending with a WS.”

On page 5:
Collar: Pick up 49 (53, 53, 57, 57, 65) sts along collar. You should pick up 1 st for each bound off neck st, and approximately 3 out of 4 sts along the shoulder rows to get these sts. Knit 3 rows, then BO. You will want to BO very loosely.