Transform a crew-neck tee, a scoop-neck blouse, or a plain jewel-neckline dress into something special with this mandarin-collared, deeply flounced dickey. Worked flat, from the top down, this sweet confection proves that pretty girls can be smart, too. If you’re a zen-type knitter, you’ll enjoy the focus, but beginners should wait until they’ve gained some experience before tackling this project.

I made mine in white bamboo, which wears cool, rather than warm. Bamboo also has a subtle gleam and a lovely drape. I spun my own sports-weight two-ply yarn from bamboo roving, but here are some commercial yarns that would work for you: Patons Silk Bamboo or Caron Spa.

Best for an intermediate knitter with some experience.