The Salty Sailor Collar Is Here — And I Am So Excited to Share It With You
If you’ve been following along here for a while, you know that I have a deep, unshakeable love for statement accessories. Not the loud, look-at-me kind necessarily, but the quiet kind — the piece you throw on over a plain sweater or a simple dress and suddenly everything feels intentional. Everything feels finished. That’s exactly what the Salty Sailor Collar is, and after months of designing, knitting, frogging, rethinking, and knitting again, I am thrilled to tell you that the pattern is officially out.
Let’s talk about everything: where the idea came from, what makes this collar special, how to knit it, what yarn I used, and why I think you’re going to absolutely love adding this to your wardrobe — or gifting it to someone who deserves something handmade and beautiful.
Where the Idea Came From
I’ve been obsessed with detachable collars for a couple of years now. There’s something about the history of them that I find completely captivating. In the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth, detachable collars were incredibly practical — you could swap them out, wash them independently, change the entire personality of an outfit without buying anything new. That spirit of resourcefulness and style living together feels very much aligned with what I love about knitting in general.
I started sketching out ideas for a knitted version after I found an old photograph in a flea market — a woman in a dark dress with a wide, structured white collar that looked almost nautical. Something about the clean lines of it, the way the collar framed her face without overwhelming it, lodged itself in my brain and refused to leave. I kept coming back to it. I kept thinking: I want to make that, but in yarn, but modern, but wearable every single day.
The “salty sailor” name came pretty naturally after that. There’s a whole aesthetic universe around maritime style that I’ve always been drawn to — navy and cream, rope textures, clean stripes, brass buttons, the idea of standing at the bow of a boat with the wind in your hair. That visual language felt like the perfect frame for this collar.
What Makes the Salty Sailor Collar Special
Before we get into the technical details of the pattern, I want to talk about what makes this design different from other collar patterns you might have seen or made before — because I genuinely think there are a few things that set it apart.
First, the construction. The Salty Sailor Collar is worked flat in a single piece, starting from the back neckband and working outward toward the collar points. This means there are very few seams, and the ones that do exist are minimal and easy to execute even if you don’t consider finishing your strong suit. The shaping is achieved through a combination of short rows and increases, which gives the collar a beautiful drape without requiring any complicated techniques.
Second, the texture. I wanted this collar to have some visual interest without being so textured that it became stiff or bulky under a jacket. What I landed on is a simple combination of knit and purl stitches that creates a very subtle ribbed effect along the body of the collar, with clean stockinette panels at the points and along the neckband edge. It reads as refined and considered up close, but from across the room it just looks like a beautifully shaped collar. That balance was really important to me.
Third, the closure. A lot of knitted collar patterns I’ve seen use buttons, which I love — but I wanted to give knitters options. The Salty Sailor Collar is designed to work with either a button closure at the back or a tie closure using a narrow knitted i-cord tie. Both options are included in the pattern with full instructions. The tie version gives it a slightly softer, more bohemian feel, while the button version is crisper and more classic. I personally knit mine with the button closure first, then made a second one with ties and honestly couldn’t decide which I preferred.
The Yarn I Used
For the original sample, I used a DK weight wool blend in a creamy off-white. I’m not going to name the specific yarn here because I know availability varies so much depending on where you are in the world, and I want this pattern to be genuinely accessible to everyone. What I will say is that this collar works best in a yarn with some stitch definition — something that shows off texture clearly — and a little bit of body. Very drapey or slippery yarns will work, but the collar may not hold its shape quite as well.
I knit a second sample in a deep navy blue that I have been wearing constantly. If you want that true nautical feeling, navy is absolutely the way to go. It looks stunning against a white linen shirt. A third sample, knitted by one of my wonderful test knitters, was done in a heathered grey and honestly it might be my favorite of all three — very understated, goes with everything, feels extremely chic.
The pattern calls for approximately 150 to 200 yards of DK weight yarn, depending on your gauge and which collar size you make. That means this is a perfect stash buster project. If you’ve been hoarding a special skein waiting for the right thing to do with it, this might be exactly that project.
Sizing and Fit
The Salty Sailor Collar comes in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. The sizing is based on neck circumference, with the following approximate measurements:
Small fits a neck circumference of 13 to 14 inches. Medium fits 14.5 to 15.5 inches. Large fits 16 to 17 inches.
Each size also has a slightly different collar spread — the Large version is a touch wider at the points, which I think looks particularly beautiful on people with broader shoulders or who want a more dramatic effect. The Small is more delicate and dainty, which is a wonderful look too.
Because this is a detachable collar rather than a structural garment piece, the fit has a fair amount of flexibility. Even if you’re between sizes, you’ll likely find that either size works well for you, and the pattern includes notes on how to adjust the neck circumference slightly without affecting the overall collar shaping.
Skill Level and Techniques Used
I designed the Salty Sailor Collar with intermediate knitters in mind, but I genuinely believe that a confident beginner could tackle it with a little patience. You don’t need to know anything fancy. The techniques used in this pattern are:
Knitting flat on straight needles or a circular needle used flat. Basic increases — specifically, the M1L and M1R (make one left and make one right), both of which are explained in detail within the pattern itself. Short rows using the wrap and turn method. Picking up stitches along an edge for the neckband, which is done at the very end and brings the whole thing together beautifully. The i-cord technique, if you choose the tie closure option.
Every technique is explained within the pattern with written instructions. I also include notes and tips throughout for places where I know knitters sometimes get tripped up — for example, there’s a note about how to keep your tension consistent when picking up stitches around the neck edge, because that’s a spot where things can get wonky if you’re not paying attention.
How to Read the Pattern
The Salty Sailor Collar pattern is written entirely in standard abbreviations, with a full abbreviations key at the front of the document. It is written in rows, not rounds, so there’s no confusing back-and-forth between flat and circular construction. Everything moves in one direction and the instructions build logically on each other.
I’ve also included a schematic — a simple line drawing with measurements for the finished collar — so you can see what you’re working toward at every stage. I know some knitters really rely on schematics and some don’t look at them at all, but I wanted it to be there for anyone who finds it useful.
The pattern is available as a PDF download from my Ravelry page and also from my Etsy shop. Links to both are in my bio. Once you download it, it’s yours to keep and print as many times as you like — I know some knitters like to print a fresh copy for every project so they can mark it up without guilt.
Tips for Knitting the Collar
I want to share a few things I wish I’d known before knitting the first version of this, because some of these tips would have saved me a lot of frogging.
Swatch. I know we all roll our eyes at swatching, I do it too, but for this project gauge really does matter. The neck circumference is dependent on your gauge, and if you’re off even a little bit, you might find the collar is too tight or too loose around your neck. I promise a small swatch is worth the ten minutes it takes.
Block your finished collar before wearing or gifting it. This is the step that makes a knitted collar look polished and professional rather than handmade in the sweetest possible way. A quick wet block — soak it, squeeze out the water gently in a towel, pin it to shape on a blocking mat, and let it dry — will transform the collar. The points will lie flat, the neckband will sit perfectly, and the overall shape will look exactly like the photos.
If you’re knitting the tie closure version, make your i-cord ties a little longer than you think you need them. It’s easy to trim excess, but very annoying to realize you need more length once you’ve already cast off. I recommend knitting them to about 20 inches each, trying the collar on, and then adjusting from there if needed.
Take your time on the short rows. Short rows can feel intimidating if you haven’t done them much, but once you get into the rhythm of them you’ll find they’re actually quite meditative. The key is to keep a sticky note or a tally mark somewhere to track which row you’re on within the short row sequence, because it’s easy to lose your place. The pattern is written clearly enough that even if you do lose your place, it’s not hard to figure out where you are — but prevention is better than confusion.
Test Knitters’ Notes
I had six wonderful test knitters work through this pattern before release, and their feedback shaped the final version in really meaningful ways. A few things they said that I think are worth sharing:
One of my test knitters, who describes herself as a “slow and careful knitter,” said the pattern was the clearest she’d ever worked from and that she finished the collar in three evenings of knitting. That made my whole week. Another test knitter, who is a very experienced knitter, said she appreciated how the construction was elegant without being unnecessarily complex — her phrase was “smartly engineered,” and I’m going to be thinking about that for a long time.
One piece of feedback that came up more than once was a request for more color combination suggestions, so I’ve added a note in the pattern about colorwork options — specifically, knitting the neckband and points in a contrasting color, which gives the collar a really wonderful graphic quality. That’s going on my list for a future knit.
How to Style the Salty Sailor Collar
Part of what I love about a detachable collar is how many ways you can wear it. Here are a few of my favorite combinations that I’ve been experimenting with since I finished my first sample:
Over a plain white or cream t-shirt for a look that’s casual but elevated. The collar does all the work — your outfit underneath can be as simple as you like. Over a chunky sweater, worn right on top of the neckline. This sounds counterintuitive but it looks absolutely incredible, especially in a contrasting color. The layered textures are really something. With a button-down shirt, collar over collar. This is a very specific aesthetic, I know, but if it’s your thing it is completely your thing and I fully support you. Under a blazer or jacket, visible at the neckline. This is my most-worn configuration. A dark blazer with a cream collar peeking out feels very put-together with basically zero effort.
A Note on Gifting
Handknitting something for someone is one of the most generous things you can do. It takes time and thought and skill, and a knitted collar is a beautiful gift that people genuinely don’t expect. It’s wearable, it’s useful, and it has a kind of heirloom quality that fast fashion simply can’t replicate.
I designed the Salty Sailor Collar partly with gifting in mind. The relatively small yardage requirement means it’s not an enormous investment to make one for a friend. The three sizes mean you can knit for most adults in your life. And the finished object is compact and easy to package — fold it gently, tuck it in a box with some tissue paper, and you have a gift that looks thoughtful because it is thoughtful.
Where to Find the Pattern
The Salty Sailor Collar pattern is available right now on Ravelry and on my Etsy shop. The link to both is in my bio — just click through and you’ll find it. If you have any trouble with the download or any questions about the pattern after purchase, please reach out to me directly via DM or email. I read everything and I genuinely love hearing from you.
If you knit the Salty Sailor Collar, please tag me in your photos. I have a running folder of finished objects from my patterns and it is truly one of my favorite things in the world to look at. Nothing makes me happier than seeing something I designed living in someone else’s hands and on someone else’s neck in a color and yarn I never would have thought to choose.
Thank you, as always, for being here, for supporting independent designers, and for keeping the craft alive. Now go cast on.
