CONSTRUCTION

Classic LBD is worked seamlessly from the top down. Stitches are picked up and knit for the collar. Optional bust shaping gives you five choices of cup sizes worked with German Short Rows. Increases are worked from the underarm to the hem to create subtle hip shaping.

OPTIONAL BUST SHAPING

Optional instructions for adding short rows for bust shaping, in five sizes, give you your best fit.

SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12)

Finished bust circumference: 31 (35.5, 39, 43.5, 47) (51.5, 55, 59.5) (63, 67.5, 71, 75.5) inches / 77.5 (88.5, 97.5, 108.5, 117.5) (128.5, 137.5, 148.5) (157.5, 168.5, 177.5, 188.5) cm

Finished hip circumference: 34.25 (38.5, 42.25, 46.5, 50.25) (54.5, 58.25, 62.5) (66.25, 70.5, 74.25, 78.5) inches / 85.5 (96, 105.5, 116, 125.5) (136, 145.5, 156) (165.5, 176, 185.5, 196) cm

Finished bicep circumference: 12.75 (13.75, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5) (17.75, 19.25, 20.5) (22.5, 23.25, 24.25, 25) inches / 32 (34, 36.5, 39, 41) (44, 48, 51) (56.5, 58, 60.5, 62.5) cm

YOUR BEST FIT

Choose the size closest to your actual upper chest measurement: 28 (32, 36, 39.25, 42.5) (45.75, 49, 52.25) (55.5, 58.75, 62, 65.25) inches / 70 (80, 89.5, 98, 106) (114, 122, 130.5) (138.5, 146.5, 154.5, 163) cm

Upper chest is measured above the full bust, at an angle close to diagonal beneath the underarms, and straight across the back.

Classic LBD is designed to fit with approximately 3 inches / 7.5 cm of positive ease at the fullest part of your bust.

If you need additional room for the bust, as I do, working the optional short row shaping will give you the best fit in the shoulders and armholes, while still making room for your chest. Short rows add length to the front only of the garment, so that the hem does not rise in the front.

Both samples shown in size 5, cup 2, with 2.25 inches / 5.5 cm of positive ease at the full bust and 2 inches / 5 cm of positive ease at the upper arm. My upper chest is 41 inches / 102.5 cm.

YARN

Choose a plied lightweight fingering yarn. Variegated or striping yarn not suitable if you are working the bust darts.

Sample 1 shown in Purl Soho Sweetgrass, in colorway Sesame

65% organic cotton; 35% alpaca, undyed. 437 yds / 400 m per 100 g skein. This is a soft, slippery fingering weight yarn with low bounce and good stitch definition. The alpaca fiber in this yarn is 26 microns wide.

Sample 2 shown in Terrapin Fiberworks Chesapeake Organic Cotton

100% organic cotton. 437 yds / 400 m per 100g skein. This is a soft, semi-lofty fingering weight yarn with low bounce and modest stitch definition.

725 (825, 875, 1010, 1100) (1215, 1305, 1415) (1535, 1650, 1760, 1880) yds / 665 (755, 800, 925, 1005) (1115, 1190, 1295) (1400, 1505, 1610, 1720) m; 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins.

If you are working the optional cup shaping, you will need an additional 15- 185 yds / 15 – 165 m.

GAUGE

26 sts and 36 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch with size A needles, working both flat and in the round.

NEEDLES

All garment sizes use all needle sizes:

Size A: US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needle, or as needed to obtain gauge, for working the body.

For the body, you will need a 24 (32, 32, 32, 40) (40, 40, 40) (40, 47, 47, 47) inch / 60 (80, 80, 80, 100) (100, 100, 100) (100, 120, 120, 120) cm circular needle.

For the sleeves you will need double-pointed needles (or your preferred length circular needle for magic loop).

Size B: US size 2 / 2.75 mm needle, or two US sizes smaller than size A, for working the trim. You will need a circular needle the same length as size A for the hem, double-pointed needles (or your preferred length circular needle for magic loop) for the cuffs, and a 12 (12, 12, 12, 12) (12, 12, 12) (12, 12, 12, 16) inch / 30 (30, 30, 30, 30) (30, 30, 30) (30, 30, 30, 40) cm circular needle for the collar.

NOTIONS

• 6 Stitch markers plus one unique stitch marker for the beginning of the round
• Tapestry needle

TECHNIQUES

• Working directional shaping
• Knitting in the round
• Working German Short Rows (optional, for bust shaping)
• Picking up and knitting

CREDITS

Tech edit: Heather Storta

Photography: KeyLimeHi, Hypnotic Imagery, LLC

Locations: B Willow, The Knit Inn