Stumble Dress- Knitting Pattern

Worked from the top down in the round, this retro-feel dress has a negative ease raglan top and a lovely, full, stocking stitch skirt with a similar effect to a circle skirt. Flared at the hips and with multiple shaping options, this dress is designed to fit a wide range of bodies. There are options for two different neck finishings, an optional bust dart instruction, as well as optional German short rows for back length (full butt) adjustment. I have also included yardage estimates for adjusting the length of the skirt.

It’s comfortable, classic, and fits like a glove! You’ll absolutely love it.

Please note: This is a combination pattern using the tumble tee and stumble skirt put together. If you already own both patterns, you do not need to purchase this one unless you prefer the convenience of everything all integrated.

It is important to me that this pattern is financially accessible and so for low-income customers, this pattern can be purchased at 33% off using the code ‘LOW33’. This is an honours system - please respect that I also am trying to make a living from my designs and if you can afford the full price I’d appreciate if you paid it.

See advice below about picking the right size for you - to achieve fit shown, the top part is worn with significant negative ease. Don’t worry, it has plenty of stretch!

Choosing your size:

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) are designed to fit upper chest/upper bust measurement* of 78.75 (87, 95.25, 103.5, 111.75) (120, 128.25, 136.5, 144.75)cm / 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75, 44) (47.25, 50.5, 53.75, 57)in

To measure your chest/upper bust measurement, place a tape measure around your body underneath your armpits, making sure it is level all the way around and keeping arms relaxed at your sides.

Based on the design of this garment, it is recommended that you choose a size based on your upper chest/upper bust measurement. If you are between sizes, it is recommended that you choose the larger one.

This garment will comfortably fit full chest/full bust measurements of 77.5 (87.5, 97.5, 107.5, 117.5) (127.5, 137.5, 147.5, 157.5)cm / 31 (35, 39, 43, 47) (51, 55, 59, 63)in, with up to the following approximate negative ease at the full bust: 9.5 (9.5, 10.75, 12.75, 12.75) (14.5, 16, 16, 17.75)cm / 3.75 (3.75, 4.25, 5, 5) (5.75, 6.25, 6.25, 7)in.

You can use this information to help you feel confident about your size choice, but I would still advise that you choose based on your upper chest/upper bust measurement.

Choosing your shaping:

This pattern includes two options for optional short row shaping to add length to the back only. If you have a fairly flat butt, you don’t have to work any short rows. If you consider yourself to have a round or prominent butt and often find that skirts rise up in the back, you may wish to work German Short Rows in the Optional Back Length (Full Butt) adjustment to increase the length of the skirt in the back by 6.25(12.5)cm / 2.5(5)in (Option 1 (2)) depending on your preference.

It also includes two options for Optional Bust Darts which are also created with short rows to add space for the chest. If you have a fairly flat chest, you don’t have to work any short rows. If you consider yourself to have a large chest and often find that tops do not leave space for your bust, you may wish to work German Short Rows to create darts with a depth of 3 (6.5)cm / 1.25 (2.5)in (Cup 1 (2)) depending on your preference.

How to work out if you need optional short rows

If you don’t know if you need short row shaping, you can check by doing the following:

Using a piece of tape or some pins, mark along the top of your shoulder where the shoulder seam sits on your clothing, then tie a piece of elastic or yarn tightly to your waist at its narrowest point where the skirt will sit.

Have someone help you measure the distances between these 2 markers- once passing the tape from your shoulder over the fullest part of your bust, and once passing the tape straight down along the side of your bust, avoiding it altogether. If the distance over your full bust is longer, choose the Optional Bust Dart Cup that is closest to that difference.

Now, tie a piece of elastic or yarn tightly around any point on your thigh.

Have someone help you measure the distances between your waist elastic and thigh elastic at two 2 points- at the front and then the back of your body. If the back distance is longer, choose the Optional Back Length (Full Butt) adjustment that adds a length closest to that difference.

Yarn:

Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering (100% Ultra fine South African Merino, 400m / 437yds per 100g) You can use any 4ply/fingering weight yarn for different effects or use your scraps to make a stripey version like one of my samples!

YARDAGE:

1300 (1500, 1675, 1875, 2085) (2250, 2490, 2710, 2930)m / 1425 (1640, 1835, 2050, 2280) (2460, 2725, 2965, 3200)yds

Yardage for modifications:

If you plan to work the optional Bust Dart, plan to use additional yardage:

• For Cup 1 (3cm / 1.25in): 5 (5, 10, 10, 10) (10, 10, 10, 10)m / 5 (5, 10, 10, 10) (10, 10, 10, 1)yds
• For Cup 2 (6.5cm / 2.5in): 15 (15, 15, 15, 20) (20, 20, 20, 20)m /15 (15, 15, 15, 20) (20, 20, 20, 20)yds

If you plan to work the optional Back Length Adjustment, plan to use additional yardage:

• For option 1 (6.25cm / 2.5in): 65 (75, 80, 90, 100) (105, 115, 120, 130)m / 70 (80, 90, 95, 110) (115, 125, 135, 140)yds
• For option 2 (12.5cm / 5in): 130 (145, 160, 180, 195) (210, 225, 245, 260)m / 140 (160, 175, 195, 215) (230, 250, 265, 285)yds If you wish to create a longer / shorter skirt, plan to use 45 (50, 55, 60, 70) (75, 80, 85, 90)m / 50 (55, 60, 65, 75) (80, 85, 95, 100)yds more / less per 2.5cm / 1in added or subtracted from the skirt length.

GAUGE:

Skirt: 21 sts and 28 rounds per 10cm / 4in in stocking stitch using 4mm / US 6 needle

Top: 24 sts and 32 rounds per 10cm / 4in in stocking stitch using 3.75mm needle

NEEDLES:

– Ribbing Needle - 2.75mm / US 2 circular needles or 3 sizes smaller than Top Needle in your preferred lengths for waistband circumference (I used 60cm / 24in)

• Top Needle - 3.75mm / US 5 or size needed to obtain Top gauge in your preferred lengths for body and small circumferences (I used 40cm / 16in length all the way through, but a 60cm / 24in would be more usual)
• Skirt Needle - 4mm / US 6 circular needles or size needed to obtain Skirt gauge in your preferred lengths for skirt circumferences (I used 60cm / 24in length all the way through)
• For optional folded hem neckline: 2.75mm / US 2 or 3 sizes smaller than Top needle in your preferred lengths for small circumferences, 40cm / 16n or longer circular needle

SUPPLIES NEEDED:



– Tapestry needle

– Stitch holders or waste yarn

- For optional folded hem neckline only: smooth 4ply waste yarn for provisional cast-on

– 10 Stitch markers (can be made from loops of waste yarn)