In February, there’s still a bit of chill to the winter air, but spirits are improving and there’s hope of the weather warming. This dress will carry you through to the next season. Knit in the round from the bottom up, the bottom half of the dress is fitted and ribbed for an ultra flattering look. At the waist, the draping effect begins with an expanded batwing sleeve and lace reminiscent of hearts.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Hip Size 34 (36, 40, 44, 48, 53, 55)”
2” negative ease recommended. Shown in size 36”
Gauge: 16 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after steam blocking
Materials
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool; 197 yards [180 meters]/85 grams): 140 Rose Heather (6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9) balls)
Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) 24” circular
Notions: Stitch markers (A and B, 2 each), tapestry needle, stitch holder
Special Stitches
Lace Stitch (worked in the rnd)
Rnd 1: K1, yo, k4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4, yo.
Rnd 2: K2, yo, k3, ssk, k1, k2tog, k3, yo, k1.
Rnd 3: K3, yo, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2.
Rnd 4: K4, yo, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 yo, k3.
Rnd 5: K5, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k4.
Rnd 6: K1, k2tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, ssk.
Rnd 7: K1, k2tog, (k3, yo) twice, k3, ssk.
Rnd 8: K1, k2tog, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, ssk.
Rnd 9: K1, k2tog, k1, yo, k7, yo, k1, ssk.
Rnd 10: K1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk.
Rep Rnds 1-10 for patt.
Lace Stitch (worked flat)
Row 1 (RS): K1, yo, k4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4, yo.
Row 2 (WS): P1, yo, p3, p2tog, p1, p2tog tbl, p3, yo, p2.
Row 3: K3, yo, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2.
Row 4: P3, yo, p1, p2tog, p1, p2tog tbl, p1, yo, p4.
Row 5: K5, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k4.
Row 6: P2tog tbl, p4, yo, p1, yo, p4, p2tog, p1.
Row 7: K1, k2tog, (k3, yo) twice, k3, ssk.
Row 8: P2tog tbl, p2, yo, p5, yo, p2, p2tog, p1.
Row 9: K1, k2tog, k1, yo, k7, yo, k1, ssk.
Row 10: P2tog tbl, yo, p9, yo, p2tog, p1.
Rep Rows 1-10 for patt.
Pattern
CO 146 (150, 166, 186, 200, 220, 226) sts. PM A to mark the beginning and join in the rnd. Place second marker A after 73 (75, 83, 93, 100, 110, 113) sts.
Rnd 1: *K3, p2; rep from * to last 1 (0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1) st, p1.
Rep Rnd 1 until piece meas 16” from CO edge.
Shape Waist
Dec Rnd: K1, k2tog, cont in patt to 3 sts before first marker A, ssk, k1, sm A, k1, k2tog, cont in patt to 3 sts before 2nd marker A, ssk, p1. (4 sts dec’d; 142 (146, 162, 182, 196, 216, 222) sts)
Rnd 2: K the k sts and P the p sts.
Rep Rnds 1-2, 11 (11, 12, 11, 11, 11, 11) more times. (98 (102, 114, 138, 152, 172, 178) sts)
Cont in est patt until piece meas 20 (20, 22, 22, 24, 24, 24)” or desired length.
Top Set Up
Rnd 1: *K1, m1; rep from * to end of rnd. (196 (204, 228, 276, 304, 344, 356) sts)
Begin Lace Pattern
Rnd 1: K7 (2, 1, 6, 6, 2, 5), pm B, work Rnd 1 of Lace Stitch patt, pm B, k7 (2, 1, 6, 6, 2, 5), sm A, k7 (2, 1, 6, 6, 2, 5), pm B, work Rnd 1 of Lace Stitch patt, pm B, k7 (2, 1, 6, 6, 2, 5).
Rnd 2: K1, m1, k6 (1, 0, 5, 5, 1, 4), sm B, work Rnd 2 of Lace Stitch patt, sm B, k6 (1, 0, 5, 5, 1, 4), m1, k1, sm A, k1, m1, k6 (1, 0, 5, 5, 1, 4), sm B, work Rnd 2 of Lace Stitch patt, sm B, k6 (1, 0, 5, 5, 1, 4), m1, k1. (4 sts inc’d; 200 (208, 232, 280, 308, 348, 360) sts)Cont in patt with Rnd 3 of Lace Stitch patt, increasing every other rnd until you have 8 (7, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5)” of lace. As you increase to 14 sts on each side, you may move the marker and incorporate the 14 sts into the lace pattern.
Division
After piece measures 8 (7, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5)” from beg of the Lace Stitch patt, place the first half of your sts through to marker A on stitch holder, cont in Lace Stitch patt, now working flat, and increasing every other row until you have 176 (188, 188, 196, 196, 214, 214) sts on your needles. Cont working in Lace Stitch patt for 18 (19, 20, 20, 21, 22, 22)”.
BO all sts.
Repeat for the first half of your sts on stitch holder.
Finishing
Weave in the ends.
Steam block to schematic measurements.
Using the mattress stitch, seam sleeve edges leaving 11” open for the neckline.
Reviewed changes and comments, and they look great. Adjusted ease. Thank you!