The MELIDES dress is the perfect everyday summer dress with a twist:

It’s a tailored piece. You will be able to easily put together the perfect fit for your unique body size and shape. Fear not if, like me, you have to get your bikini tops and bottoms as separates – this dress is here to hug all your curves and concerns!

It’s two dresses in one. You get a deep V-neckline and button band on one side, that you can wear at the front for a cute day look, and a square neckline on the other side, which you can also wear at the front for a very elegant evening look with a sexy buttoned back. #reversibledesign

It’s flattering. I was inspired by sewn pieces while creating this dress. The use of darts, for example, serves both a functional and a formal purpose. Together with the button band, these darts elongate your figure and accentuate your curves. A similar detailing at the waist accentuates your waistline. The choice of needles and yarn makes for a light fabric with fluid drape, which feels like a second skin and is perfect for warm weather.

It’s all about the details. A seamless construction in smooth stockinette stitch, only interrupted by the intentional accent lines. A delicate hem that doesn’t roll or curl. Neat I-cord edges that blend with the main fabric while lending it some structure. And lastly, an elegant button band which will lend the dress its character: dress it up with mother-of-pearl or enamel buttons; choose corozo or wooden buttons for a more casual touch.

TAILORED KNITTING
This dress has a tailored construction and uses a unique sizing system to fit you like a glove. Before you start knitting, you will need to do a little setup work. This involves taking your measurements and doing a few simple calculations with the help of the pattern. The pattern also includes the MELIDES calculator, to help you through length tailoring, so that you don’t have to do any complicated maths.
#tailoredknitting

AVAILABLE SIZES
Tailored sizes are available for bust circumferences 76 - 128 cm (30 ½ - 51’’).
Follow the instructions in the setup pages of the pattern to find your tailored size.

KNITTING LEVEL
Intermediate.
The pattern includes very detailed step-by-step instructions to guide you through every step of tailoring your own size and knitting your dress.
The techniques used are advanced beginner level: stockinette stitch, linen stitch, M1R, M1L, M1RP, M1LP, S, SSK, K2tog, YO, provisional cast-on, regular bind-off, Italian bind-off, I-cord, grafting, blocking. The pattern includes detailed written explanations and/or video tutorials for all these techniques.
The setup work needed to nail this dress, the multiple customization options and the complexity and length of the pattern make it more appropriate for experienced knitters, and definitely not appropriate as a first garment project.

GAUGE
25 sts x 31 rows in stockinette stitch, blocked without pinning or stretching.
Follow the instructions in the Gauge section of the pattern to work your swatch.

YARN AND HABERDASHERY
5-10 balls of Knitting for Olive Pure Silk, 250 m (273.5 yds) / 50 g
16-26 9 mm (3/8’’) mother-of-pearl buttons by Ma Fabrique de Boutons
Follow the instructions in the setup pages of the pattern to calculate your yardage and how many buttons you’ll need.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
3 mm (US 2.5) 80-150 cm (32-60’’) circular needles, for the main fabric (= main needles)
3 mm (US 2.5) x2 short or long DPNs, for extra comfort while knitting the straps
2.5 mm (US 1.5) 40-150 cm (16-60’’) circular needles, for the I-cords (= smallest needles)
3.5 mm (US 3) crochet hook, for reinforcing the button bands
8+ stitch markers, 20+ removable stitch markers, 5+ stitch holders for the waist stitches and the straps, 1 tapestry needle, 1 sewing needle to attach the buttons, 1 measuring tape, blocking mat
You will also need access to Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets to open the MELIDES calculator.

DOWNLOADS
This pattern includes 10 pages of setup instructions, 23 pages of knitting instructions and 3 pages of appendix. It includes schematics along the way. It also includes a calculator to help you achieve the perfect fit in length, even if your row gauge is off.
The pattern includes several options for further customizing and/or modding your MELIDES dress.
A table of contents is included on page 39.

Before you start, make sure to read the pattern from the beginning to the end, including the sections “Notes”, “Modifications” and “Techniques” at the end of the pattern. If you print your pattern, you might want to keep pages 1-10 and 34-39 separate for easy access.

This pattern has been professionally tech edited by Urban Yarning.