THE GIRL dress was created to be a showstopper, much like the iconic movie character it borrows its name from. It draws inspiration from old Hollywood glamour and midcentury design, combining a daring silhouette with a touch of vintage allure, clean lines derived from function and that pristine look that only contemporary knitwear construction can achieve.

This dress has a wrap style backless bodice with dainty straps, an elastic waistband and a long A-line skirt. It has a cinched fit at the waist, with zero ease, perfectly tailored with an inset elastic waistband. The bodice panels lay close to the upper body, and the skirt was designed to wave freely around our hips and legs as we stroll - or as we tango.

CONSTRUCTION

This dress is knit top-down in stockinette stitch. The front panels are worked flat separately and shaped through increases. The work is joined at the waist to work in the round. The waist is folded up and sewn, leaving an opening to add an elastic waistband. Stitches are then picked up to work the skirt, which is shaped through increases and finished with a bind-off method that avoids a curling edge. The straps are worked from stitches picked up at the top of the front panels. To keep the style while addressing different body proportions, the smaller sizes have thinner I-cord straps, while larger sizes have slightly thicker double stockinette straps.

The pattern includes optional bust darts using German short rows, modification suggestions for extra coverage and to conceal a bra, instructions for standard back panels, ideas for alternative straps and back panels, as well as tips on how to adjust for a different row gauge and how to deal with stretching. Due to the backless nature of the dress, the bodice will lay loosely on the body. Fashion tape can help you feel extra secure.

KNITTING LEVEL

Intermediate. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions, explains the used techniques and includes links to video tutorials.

TECHNIQUES:
Stockinette stitch flat and circular (K/P), reverse stockinette stitch, linen stitch, RS/WS increases (M1R, M1L, M1RP, M1LP), K2tog, long tail cast-on (LTCO), provisional cast-on (PCO), pick-up-and-knit (PUK), regular bind-off, three needle bind-off I-cord, double stockinette stitch, grafting, opt. German short rows (GSR).

AVAILABLE SIZES

1 (2, 3, 4) 5 (6, 7, 8) 9 (10, 11, 12) 13 (14, 15, 16)

dress waist circumference (cm / inch):
63 (66, 72, 77) 82 (88, 91, 98) 101 (107, 110, 117) 123 (125, 133, 135) cm / 25 (26, 28.5, 31) 32.5 (35, 36.5, 39) 40 (43, 44, 47) 49 (50, 53, 54)“

The pattern includes an extensive size chart and schematics. Follow the pattern’s size guide to choose your size.

My measurements are approximately 89-71-98 cm (35½“-28½“-39“) and I’m wearing size 3.

GAUGE

in 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”)
Main fabric: 26 sts x 32 R in stockinette stitch
in 10 cm (4”)
Hem: 26 sts linen stitch = 26 sts main fabric

SUGGESTED YARN

Knitting for Olive Pure Silk (250 m / 50 g)
8 (8, 8, 9) 9 (9, 10, 10) 10 (11, 11, 12) 12 (12, 13, 13) balls
Sample colorway: “deep petroleum blue”

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS

Use the necessary needle sizes to get the given gauge. You’ll need different sizes circular needles and DPN or shorties.
For the main fabric and the hem, I used 2.75 mm (US 2) needles. For the straps, I used smaller needles, 2.25 mm (US 1).

16 stitch markers, removable stitch markers, 2+ stitch holders, tapestry needle, 3 safety pins, sewing needle with matching thread, measuring tape, and a piece of 2 (2, 2, 2) 2 (3, 3, 3) 3.5 (3.5, 3.5, 3.5) 4 (4, 4, 4) cm / ¾ (¾, ¾, ¾) ¾ (1¼, 1¼, 1¼) 1¼ (1¼, 1¼ 1¼) 1½ (1½, 1½, 1½)” wide elastic band longer than your waist circumference in a matching color.

Photos 1-5 by Hugo Coelho Photography

Need help at any point? Make sure to check the last pattern pages for tips, abbreviations, tutorials, and a contact