Rainbow Dress
Stylish and simplistic, the Rainbow Dress is knit from the top down and is completely seamless. It is the perfect pattern for the beginner wanting to tackle circular needles, as well as being a fun knit construction and option-wise for the more experienced knitter. A simple dress with clean lines, it works well with variegated or plain coloured yarns. You can leave it plain to let your beautiful yarn sing, or you can use it as a canvas for the many options available with this pattern; ruffles, eyelets, picots and lace.
Options include:
- picot cast off for shoulder straps
- optional eyelet bodice
- 9 hemline options (garter, 3 ruffles, 2 picot, 3 lace)
Construction:
The construction process of this dress often surprised those who are not used to this style of knitting. Initially it can be a little disconcerting but trust the pattern and the process; it does work and so very simply.
The dress is knit from the top down. The initial cast on forms the shoulder straps and the top of the bodice. From there you cast off the shoulder straps and rejoin to knit the skirt of the dress.
Sizing:
To fit actual chest measurement of:
15-21: 15/38 [newborn] (16/40.5 [3mths], 17/43 [6mths], 18/46 [9mths]), [19/48.5 [12mths], 20/51 [18mths], 21/53.5 [24mths]]
22–28: 22/56 [3yrs] (23/58.5 [4yrs], 24/61 [5yrs], 25/63.5 [6yrs]), [26/66 [7yrs], 27/68.5 [8yrs], 28/71 [10yrs]] inches/cm.
This garment is designed to fit with negative ease. The ease
of the garment is incorporated into the sizing already and is
required to give the bodice the best fit.
Skill Level:
Easy to Intermediate
Techniques used:
Knit and purl
Increasing and decreasing
Working in the round on circular needles
Lace knitting
Working from a chart
Yarn Requirements:
* WOOLganics Organic Merino 8ply (100% organic merino; 113yd 103m/50g) - 2 (3, 3, 4) [4, 4, 5] 5 (6, 6, 7) [7, 8, 8] balls.
• Madelinetosh Tosh DK (100% merino; 225yd 206m112g) - 1 (2, 2, 2) [2, 2, 3] 3 (3, 3, 4) [4, 4, 4] skeins.
• OR 8ply/DK weight yarn of approximately:
15–21: 200/185 (250/230, 300/275, 350/320) [400/365, 450/415, 500/460]
22–28: 550/505 (600/550, 650/595, 700/640) [750/690, 800/730, 850/780] yards/metres.
For a ruffled hem, allow an extra:
15-21: 100 to 150 yards/95 to 140 metres
22-28: 150 to 185 yards/140 to 170 metres
For a bodice in contrasting colour, allow:
15-21: 100 to 150 yards/95 to 140 metres
22-28: 150 to 185 yards/140 to 170 metres
For the best result and fit, a yarn with good elasticity and memory is recommended.
