Swatching/ Gauge

It took me three swatches to finally mostly meet stitch gauge. I got a blocked gauge of 25,5 x 35 over 10 cm on 3,5 mm needles. Decided to go with this needle size and just use the formula Inês provides to adjust for row gauge.

Was a bit worried that my gauge would change knitting on the garment as it has for many other knitters, but I got lucky and my gauge stayed mostly consistent.

Blocked gauge on the dress ended up slightly smaller than on my swatch with 26 x 35 over 10 cm on 3,5 mm needles.

Modifications

• used the formula provided by Inês to convert the pattern to my row gauge
• had to modify my L1, so I used the provided calculations an added the needed 6 rows in the upper bodice (I added 2 rows each to the lower underarm decrease-, upper underarm decrease- and strap sections
• raised the v-neck by 2 centimeters —> 6 rows
• shortened the straps by 8 rows
• did a three needle bind off on the straps to add a bit more structure and strength
• added a total of 22 buttons approximately every 16 rows with the lowest button being farther away from the hem than in the pattern
• sewed on the upper buttons through both layers of fabric to reduce gaping

Final thoughts:

• I absolutely love this dress and how it fits! Even though it took quite a while to knit, I am so happy that I made it and might be planning a second version in the future.
• I knit my dress to a final length of 109 cm and with blocking it grew to about 118 cm which is exactly what I was hoping for.
• This dress really has quite a low v-neck. I raised the neckline by 6 rows and shortened the straps by 8 rows. So really the v-neck sits 14 rows higher than in the pattern, but it still is quite low. Something I would definitely keep in mind for the next dress, but I still love how the neckline falls on me. (Pictures will follow)
• Definitely give knitting this dress a go. Thanks to the shaping it stays engaging and goes by faster than I would have thought.