Queen of Hearts is perfect for when a little black dress just won’t do. A classic dress with just a hint of modern flair, Queen of Hearts is worked in the round and features a boatneck top and elbow-length sleeves trimmed in bold colors. This dress will easily transition from the office to a nice night out.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size = 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46)” bust, choose size that is closest to your actual bust, 1-2” of positive ease in pattern. Shown in size 38”
Gauge: 20 sts x 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch on larger needles, after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn:
Malabrigo Rios (100% merino superwash; 210 yards [192 meters]/100 grams): Black (MC, 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins), #611 Ravelry Red (CC, 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins), #63 Natural (CC2, 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) 32” and US size 7 (4.5 mm) 32” circular and dpn(s)
Notions: Tapestry needle, measuring tape, scissors, stitch marker, waste yarn
Special Stitches
K2, P2 Rib
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Repeat rnd 1 for pattern.
Pattern Notes
This dress is worked in the round from the top down.
Pattern
With CC and smaller needles, CO 100 (110, 120, 120, 126, 130, 130, 160) sts. Work in K2, p2 rib for 1.5”.
Rnd 1: Switch to larger needles and k36 (39, 40, 40, 40, 41, 41, 52) back sts, pm, k14 (16, 20, 20, 23, 24, 24, 28) sleeve sts, pm, k36 (39, 40, 40, 40, 41, 41, 52) front sts, pm, k14 (16, 20, 20, 23, 24, 24, 28) sleeve sts, sm.
Rnd 2 (Inc Rnd): Kf/b, knit to 1 st before m, kf/b, sm; rep from * three more times. (8 sts increased)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Switch to CC2 and knit.
Rnd 5 (Inc Rnd): Kf/b, knit to 1 st before m, kf/b, sm; rep from * three more times. (8 sts increased)
Rnd 6: Knit.
Repeat last two rnds three more times.
Rnd 7 (Inc. Rnd): Kf/b, knit to 1 st before m, kf/b, sm; rep from * three more times. (8 sts increased)
Rnd 8: Switch to MC and knit.
Rnd 9 (Inc. Rnd): Kf/b, knit to 1 st before m, kf/b, sm; rep from * three more times. (8 sts increased)
Rnd 10: Knit 1 rnd.
Repeat last 2 rnd 19 (20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 23, 24).
Separate Sleeves
Rnd 11: *Knit to m, rm, slip sleeve sts to waste yarn, CO 2 sts, pm, CO 2 sts, knit back sts; rep from * once.
Knit in St st for 1.5 (1.5, 2, 2, 2, 2.5, 2.5, 3)”.
Rnd 12 (Dec Rnd): * Knit 1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1, sm; rep from * once. (4 sts dec)
Repeat decrease rnd every 6 rnds 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) times more.
Knit 14 (14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20) rnds.
Rnd 13 (Inc Rnd): *K1, m1L, knit to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sm; rep from * once.
Work increase rnd every 6 rnds 8 (8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10) more times.
Switch to CC.
Work increase rnd every 6 rnds 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3) more times.
Switch to CC2 and knit for 1.5 (1.5, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4)”.
Switch to CC (red) and knit 1 rnd
Switch to smaller needles and knit k2, p2 rib for 7 rnds.
Bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Move sleeve sts to dpn(s). Pick up and knit 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts, pm, pick up and knit 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) sts.
Knit 3 rnds.
Rnd 1 (Dec Rnd): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Decrease every 5 rnds 7 times total.
Rnd 2: Switch to CC (red) and knit.
Knit 4 rnds.
Rnd 3 (Dec Rnd): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 4: Switch to CC2 and knit.
Knit 3 rnds.
Rnd 5 (Dec Rnd): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Knit 4 rnds.
Rnd 6 (Dec Rnd): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 7: Switch to CC and knit.
Work in k2, p2 rib for 6 rnds.
Bind off in pattern.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Wash in cold water and block dress to desired measurements.