The Serendipity Dress is an elegant but quick addition to your handmade wardrobe. Perfect for stash-busting all your single/partial skeins, or for making some monotone magic! This project is suitable for the curious beginner, who is willing to learn a few new skills (increases, decreases, three needle bind-off) on top of the basics (K, P, casting on and off).
The dress is knit using multiple strands of yarn held together in a bulky gauge. It is knit bottom up, creating a slit on both sides of the dress by knitting back and front flat, then connecting in the round. The body is then knit in the round, with decreases to go from hips to waist and increases to go from waist to bust, and then front and back are divided for armholes and neckline. The piece is finished by connecting front and back straps with a three-needle bind-off.
Sizes
XS, (S, M, L, 1X) {2X, 3X, 4X, 5X}, to fit the following sizes with between 2” of negative ease and 2” of positive ease:
Bust: 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) {48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62} in.
Waist: 23-24 (25-26.5, 28-30, 32-34, 36-38) {40-42, 44-45, 46-47, 49-50} in.
Hips: 33-34 (35-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48) {52-53, 54-55, 56-57, 61-62} in.
Note: Are you a different size in your bust/waist/hips? Take advantage of the Size Modifier Excel tool (email me at isknitshop@gmail.com for this optional attachment).
Needles & Notions
US size 11 (8mm) circulars
Note: 2 sets of circulars or an extra stitch holder can be helpful as you try on the garment for length and split for front and back.
Stitch markers (4)
Tapestry needle for sewing in ends
Gauge
10 stitches x 12 rows = 4” x 4” square in stockinette stitch on US size 11 (8mm) needles. If possible, gauge in the round.
Gauge Notes:
1) I recommend swatching to make sure you are achieving gauge with your general yarn combinations well as your desired drape and density.
2) I am a loose knitter, so gauge is on the looser end. If you knit tighter and are finding a 12 stitch x 12 row gauge is achieving the fabric you desire, expect that it will add approximately 2”-4” more negative ease to your garment (be a little bit tighter fitting). If you do not want this extra negative ease, consider sizing up.
Materials & Yardage
Approximately 480 (535, 590, 645, 700) {755, 810, 865, 920} yards of Bulky weight equivalent, made by holding 2 or more yarns together.
Yarn Choice Notes:
1) Your yarn combo to achieve bulky gauge is meant to be flexible to fit what is in your stash and what kind of drape and fabric density you want. Testers achieved their desired drape and density with a range of yarn combinations – so play around with your swatch to see what you like!
2) I knit both of my samples in 2 strands of DK/Worsted cotton for a breezy summer texture, but you have the option to expand past cotton, as long as your gauge is on!
3) This represents yardage needed of total bulky weight, not the yardage of each of your individual strands held separately.
4) Allow for extra yardage if planning a longer version of the dress (see Black midi sample).
Techniques
- Long-tail Cast-on
- Binding Off
- Three-needle bind-off
- K, P
- Kfb
- SSK
- SSP
- K2tog
- P2tog
Thank you!
Isabel
