Hello, fellow yarn enthusiasts! Get ready to create a piece that is both elegant and cozy: the Golden Honeycomb Ruffle Top. This design features a continuous, dense Fan/Shell Stitch throughout, but the real highlight is the layered, scalloped ruffle yoke, which adds a charming and voluminous frame around the neckline. Worked in a rich, single color like mustard or gold, this top’s incredible texture speaks for itself.
This pattern is written for an Intermediate skill level due to the specific increases required to shape the yoke’s ruffle and manage the continuous shell stitch. The result is a stunning, heirloom-quality garment!
๐๏ธ Section 1: Materials & Gauge
๐งถ Supplies You’ll Need
- Yarn: Approximately 350 – 450 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn. The sample uses a beautiful, solid mustard yellow or gold. A soft cotton or acrylic blend is ideal.
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Buttons: 3 small buttons (approx. 0.5 inches / 1.25 cm) for the back neck closure.
- Tools: Stitch markers (essential for the yoke increases!), a tapestry needle, and scissors.
๐ Gauge Check
Work in Double Crochet (DC): 16 DC and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
- Shell Pattern Gauge: 4 completed Shells and 4 rows of the pattern should measure 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall.
๐ Key Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Abbreviation | Meaning | |
| Ch | Chain | Dc | Double Crochet | |
| Sl St | Slip Stitch | Tr | Treble Crochet | |
| Sc | Single Crochet | Dc Shell | 5 Dc in the same stitch/space | |
| Hdc | Half Double Crochet | Shell | Fan/Shell Stitch (5 Dc) | |
| Sk | Skip | Sp | Space |
Export to Sheets
๐ธ Section 2: The Yoke (Ruffle & Shaping)
The yoke is worked flat in rows from the neck down. This size is for 6-12 months.
Foundation & Initial Shell Rows
Row 1 (Foundation): Ch 76. Sc in the 2nd Ch from the hook and in each Ch across. (75 Sc). Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc), turn.
Row 2 (Shell Setup): Dc in the same st. Sk 2 sts, Sc in the next st. Sk 2 sts, 5 Dc Shell in the next st. Rep from the parentheses around, ending with Sk 2 sts, Sc in the last st. Ch 3, turn. (15 shells, 16 Sc). The corners for this pattern will be incorporated into the Sc stitches.
Corner Shaping with Shells
We divide the 15 shells for the corner increases: 3 (Back Right) | 3 (Sleeve Right) | 6 (Front) | 3 (Sleeve Left). The increase is created by working two shells into a single Sc, separated by a chain.
Row 3 (Yoke Increase): 2 Dc in the first Sc. Sk 2 sts, Sc in the center Dc of the next shell. Sk 2 sts, 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Rep this (Shell in Sc, Sc in Shell) pattern 2 more times (3 shells for the Back Panel).
- Corner 1: Work (5 Dc Shell, Ch 1, 5 Dc Shell) into the next Sc (This Sc is your corner).
- Sleeve Panel: Sc in the center Dc of the next shell. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Rep 2 more times (3 shells for the Sleeve Panel).
- Corner 2: Work (5 Dc Shell, Ch 1, 5 Dc Shell) into the next Sc.
- Front Panel: Sc in the center Dc of the next shell. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Rep 5 more times (6 shells for the Front Panel).
- Corner 3 & 4: Repeat the corners and second Sleeve/Back Panels. Sl St to the last Sc. Ch 3, turn. (You should have 27 shells total, 4 Ch-1 corner sps, and 16 Scs.)
Row 4 (Increase/Ruffle Base): Work the established pattern (Shell in Sc, Sc in Shell). When you reach a Ch-1 corner sp, work a 5 Dc Shell into the Ch-1 sp. Continue the pattern across the next panel. Ch 3, turn. (This row increases the total shell count by 4, one at each corner. This is your first ruffle layer!)
Row 5 (Ruffle Increase): Continue the pattern (Shell in Sc, Sc in Shell). When you reach the Shell that was worked into the corner Ch-1 sp in the previous row, work two 5 Dc Shells with a Ch 1 between them into the center Dc of that corner shell. Continue the pattern. Ch 3, turn. (This row increases the total shell count by 4 again, pushing the ruffle outwards.)
Rows 6 – 8: Repeat Rows 4 and 5 (alternating increasing the shells within the corner space and then increasing the shells on the next row). Continue this until the yoke measures approximately 4.5 – 5 inches (11.5 – 12.5 cm) from the neck. This continuous, aggressive increase creates the ruffled, cap-sleeve look.
Joining for Armholes
- Next Row (Armhole Row): Continue the pattern across the first Back Panel. When you reach the first corner Ch-1 sp, work a 5 Dc Shell into the corner sp. Skip all shells across the entire Sleeve Panel (including the next corner), and join with a Sc into the center Dc of the next Front Panel shell.
- Continue the shell pattern across the Front Panel.
- When you reach the next corner Ch-1 sp, work a 5 Dc Shell into the corner sp. Skip all shells across the entire Sleeve Panel, and join with a Sc into the center Dc of the next Back Panel shell.
- Continue the pattern across the last Back Panel. Join with Sl St to the beg Ch 3 to form a circle. (Do NOT turn).
๐ฏ Section 3: The Body (Top/Dress)
The remainder of the body is worked in the round in the established shell pattern.
Shell Pattern Repeats (In the Round)
- Round 1 (Waist): Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc), 2 Dc in the Sc where you joined. Sc in the center Dc of the next shell. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Rep from the parentheses around. Sc in the center Dc of the last shell. Work 2 Dc in the beg Sc. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Round 2: Sl St into the first Dc (to center your work). Ch 1, Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the shell. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the next Dc Shell. Rep from the parentheses around. Join with Sl St to the beg Sc.
- Round 3: Sl St into the Sc. Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc), 2 Dc in the same Sc. Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the next Dc Shell. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Rep from the parentheses around. Sc in the center Dc of the last shell. Work 2 Dc in the beg Sc. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Continue repeating Rounds 2 and 3 until the body reaches the desired length. For a top/tunic, aim for approximately 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) from the underarm. For a dress, continue to 10-12 inches (25-30 cm). The natural expansion of the shell pattern creates a perfect, subtle A-line shape.
Final Scallop Hem
- Final Round: End on a Shell in Sc round (like Round 3). Work one final Sc in the center Dc of the last shell. FO. The final row of shells creates the lovely, pronounced scallop seen at the bottom hem.
Video Tutorial:
โจ Section 4: Edging and Finishing
๐ Edging the Openings
- Neckline & Back Slit: Join yarn at the bottom of the back opening. Ch 1, Sc evenly up the edge, around the entire neckline opening, and back down the other side of the slit. FO.
- Sleeve Edging: The sleeves are already finished with the scalloped edge of the yoke ruffle. If you want a tighter edge, join yarn at the center bottom of the armhole and work one simple round of Sc evenly around the opening. FO.
โ๏ธ Button Closure
- Button Band: Use one side of the back slit as the button band. Sc evenly up the edge.
- Buttonhole Band: Use the opposite side of the back slit. Work one row of Sc evenly up the edge. In the next row, create the 3 buttonholes (Ch 1, Sk 1 st) evenly spaced. FO.
- Sew Buttons: Sew the 3 buttons onto the solid button band.
๐ Final Assembly
- Weave in all loose yarn ends securely using your tapestry needle.
Your stunning Golden Honeycomb Ruffle Top is complete! The texture and drape on this garment are simply beautiful.
Would you like me to clarify any of the stitch pattern instructions or adjust the sizing for this pattern?
