My husband deployed and I sat around wondering what on earth to do with all of my free time. I wanted to make something that would feel special and in some way represent our time apart. So, I decided to knit my dress for his homecoming. It’s a big project but judging by the time we would be apart it would be no problem to finish.

But then came the question of the pattern and of course the yarn. The yarn had to be special as well. It had to have some symbolism to it. I came across Juniper Moon’s “Mountain’s Majesty” and knew immediately that, that is without a doubt the yarn that needed to be used. I had admired the Fenton Dress for sometime and it was a no brainer that it is absolutely suitable for a military homecoming.

The only change I made was to knit the skirt a little longer than what it called for. 20” + long legs = mini skirt. I believe I knit 23”-24”.

A note on the pattern:

On page three after you complete the skirt and pleating round the numbers are incorrect. I knit the 36” size and (10+24+9+24+10)x2 does not equal 156 it equals 154. I messaged the designer with this and did not receive any reply (disappointing and I was in tears as this dress is so important to me). After a couple nights of sleep and no knitting I figured out how to fix it. On the waistband I knit 77, made one stitch purlwise and then purled to the last two stitches and p2tog. This made it so I had 78 stitches in front and 78 in back. It also insured that the bodice would be centered after splitting for the armholes (because the bodice will line up, but the dress would be ever so slightly crooked after splitting and I wanted it perfect).

I was concerned that the hem would continue to roll, but after a good steam block it is staying put.

I also finished this a few months early, but that’s okay, now I can knit my husband that sweater he has always wanted and surprise him.

Update 12/7/2015 - After 7 months my husband is home and loved the dress (especially how warm and snuggly it was).