Love dresses and knitting? Get this stylish dress knitting pattern free pdf at the bottom and more gorgeous dresses on my Free Dress Patterns page!
Knitting isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s practically a lifestyle. Give me yarn, needles, and a cup of coffee, and I’m good for hours! Lately, I’ve been obsessed with knitted dresses because, seriously, what’s better than wearing something you’ve made yourself? So today, I’m excited to share my latest creation, the Michael Dress, along with a fabulous dress knitting pattern free pdf (grab it at the bottom of this post!). Plus, if you love dresses as much as I do, be sure to check out my Free Dress Patterns page—it’s packed with patterns you’ll adore!
Why I Love the Michael Dress Knitting Pattern Free PDF
First, let’s talk fashion. The Michael Dress isn’t just cozy—it’s effortlessly chic. Picture yourself strolling into your favorite café or heading out for a dinner date, wrapped in a dress that hugs you in all the right places. It’s a dress that makes heads turn, yet feels like your favorite comfy sweater. I’m all about comfort meets elegance, and this dress knitting pattern free pdf delivers just that.
The Design: Elegance with a Dash of Comfort
This dress knitting pattern free pdf (did I mention it’s free?) is designed with an eye-catching rib stitch that runs top to bottom, creating a flattering bodycon silhouette. The ribbing is subtle but just textured enough to be interesting, adding a stylish element without overwhelming the overall look. Plus, knitted dresses always earn bonus points because they’re forgiving and flattering on all body shapes—perfect if, like me, you sometimes prefer your dresses to have a bit of stretch!
What You’ll Need for the Michael Dress Knitting Pattern Free PDF
To knit this dress, you’ll need a few essentials:
- Yarn: Berroco Vintage Worsted (affiliate link), my absolute favorite because it blends softness with durability. Plus, Berroco Vintage Worsted (affiliate link) comes in gorgeous colors, making it hard to choose just one!
- Knitting Needles: Make sure you’ve got the right size needles to meet gauge. Gauge swatches aren’t exactly my favorite part of knitting either, but trust me, it’s worth it.
- Extras: Grab stitch markers and a tapestry needle to weave in those pesky ends.
Diving into the Details of Your Dress Knitting Pattern Free PDF
This pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters, but don’t let that scare you if you’re adventurous! You’ll love the seamless construction, worked entirely in the round—perfect if sewing seams isn’t your idea of fun (it definitely isn’t mine!).
Here’s a quick overview of how your Michael Dress knitting journey will look:
Getting Started: Gauge Matters!
Before casting on, spend a little extra time measuring yourself carefully. Don’t rely solely on your usual dress size—measure your chest and check the pattern’s size guide. Swatching is crucial to ensure your dress fits like a glove. Yes, I’ve learned this the hard way!
Constructing the Michael Dress from Your Free PDF Pattern
Knitting this dress is surprisingly straightforward. You’ll start at the neckline, knit through the raglan increases (so satisfying to watch your dress grow!), and after separating for sleeves, you’ll work down the body into that beautiful ribbed skirt. Finally, you’ll knit the sleeves last, customizing length as you go. Easy-peasy!
Knitting Tips for the Michael Dress Knitting Pattern Free PDF
As someone who’s made (and fixed!) plenty of knitting mistakes, here are my favorite tips:
- Count, count, count: Always double-check your stitch counts after each section—it saves so much headache later.
- Block your dress: Blocking might feel tedious, but it makes your dress look polished and helps those gorgeous ribs really stand out.
- Customize it: The beauty of using the Michael Dress knitting pattern free pdf is that you can adjust sleeve and hem lengths to match your personal style perfectly!
My Yarn Pick for the Michael Dress
I can’t rave enough about Berroco Vintage Worsted (affiliate link). It feels amazing against the skin and holds up wonderfully, meaning you’ll be wearing your Michael Dress for years. Plus, Berroco Vintage Worsted (affiliate link) washes beautifully—ideal for anyone (like me!) who occasionally spills coffee.
The Magic (Without Magic!) of Handmade Fashion
Every time I wear a knitted dress, I get tons of compliments, usually followed by astonishment when I proudly say, “Thanks, I made it!” It’s the best feeling ever. With this dress knitting pattern free pdf, you get the joy of creating something unique while adding a seriously stylish piece to your wardrobe. It’s a total win-win!
Why Choose this Dress Knitting Pattern Free PDF?
Aside from being stylish and comfortable, this free pdf pattern is designed with clear, step-by-step instructions. Whether you’re new to dress knitting or a seasoned pro, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to follow. Plus, it’s free—and who doesn’t love free patterns?
Ready to Knit Your Own Michael Dress?
If you’re like me, your needles are probably itching to get started already! So, grab your Berroco Vintage Worsted (affiliate link), download the Michael Dress knitting pattern free pdf at the bottom of this post, and make yourself a cup of coffee. Let’s knit something fabulous together!
Need More Dress Patterns?
Don’t forget to visit my Free Dress Patterns page for even more stunning designs. Trust me—you’ll want to bookmark that page!
Materials and Info
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: XS, S (M, L) 1X, 2X (3X, 4X)
Materials: Approximately 7, 7 (8, 8) 9, 10 (11, 13) hanks of Berroco Vintage Worsted (218y/100g)
Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 22sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 74, 78 (82, 90) 98, 107 (119, 131) cm
METHOD
This pattern a crew neck raglan worked in the round from the top down with 10cm of ease. The sleeves are held and then picked up and worked in the round. The main body/skirt is knit in a 6 stitch rib while the edges are worked in a 1×1 rib pattern. The skirt length can be customized for desired fit. Lengths listed are for just under the knee. When adjusting length be sure to take into account extra yardage when adding length.
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
RAGLAN INCREASES Inc row – [k2, m1l, work to 2 sts before next marker, m1r, k2, sm] repeat [to] 3 more times, then continue to end of row/round. 8 sts increased
MICHAEL RIB
Round 1 – knit around
Round 2 – (p2, k4) around
Michael Dress Pattern
YOKE
Cast on using U.S. 6 circular needle: 88, 92 (96, 100) 100, 104 (108, 116) sts.
Join in the round.
Work in 1×1 rib for 2.5cms
Set up row (wrong side) – [k38, 38 (40, 42) 44, 46 (48, 52)], pm, [k6, 8 (8, 8) 6, 6 (6, 6)] pm, [k38, 38 (40, 42) 44, 46 (48, 52)], pm, [k6, 8 (8, 8) 6, 6 (6, 6)]
Start working Michael Rib now with a round 1.
RAGLAN SHAPING ROWS/ROUNDS
Work raglan increases as described above.
every round 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (6, 12)
then every other round 14, 15 (16, 19) 29, 31 (30, 28) times,
then every 4th round 6, 6 (6, 5) 0, 0 (0, 0) times
working the Michael rib as follows:
After the m1l on the front/back
XS – k4, Work in Michael rib across
S – k4, Work in Michael rib across
M – k2, Work in Michael rib across
L – k3, Work in Michael rib across
1X – k1, Work in Michael rib across
2X – k2, Work in Michael rib across
3X – Work in Michael rib across
4X – k2, Work in Michael rib across
After the m1l on the sleeves
XS – k2
S – k4
M – k1, p2, k1
L – k4
1X – p2
2X – k2
3X – p2
4X – k2
Then work 3 rounds without increases
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 248, 260 (272, 292) 332, 352 (396, 436) sts on your needles divided as follows:
78, 80 (84, 90) 102, 108 (120, 132) sts (front),
46, 50 (52, 56) 64, 68 (78, 86) sts (sleeve),
78, 80 (84, 90) 102, 108 (120, 132) sts (back),
46, 50 (52, 56) 64, 68 (78, 86) sts (sleeve)
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Remove markers as you get to them.
Knit across the front sts, place the next 46, 50 (52, 56) 64, 68 (78, 86) sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 6, 10 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sts (right underarm), knit 78, 80 (84, 90) 102, 108 (120, 132) sts (back), place the next 46, 50 (52, 56) 64, 68 (78, 86) sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 6, 10 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sts (left underarm), knit to beginning of round marker. 168, 176 (180, 192) 216, 228 (252, 280) sts
BODY AND SKIRT
Continue in Michael Rib pattern until piece measures 70, 70.5 (71, 71.5) 72, 72.5 (73, 73.5) cm (or desired length accounting for extra yardage when adding length) measuring from underarm.
Switch to smaller circular needle.
Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms. Bind off all sts in pattern.
SLEEVES
Keeping in stripe pattern, work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 4sts from underarm, knit 46, 50 (52, 56) 64, 68 (78, 86) sts of the sleeve on the holder, pick up 4sts from underarm on to U.S. 7 double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. 54, 58 (60, 64) 72, 76 (86, 94) sts
Work 17, 17 (17, 17) 19, 19 (19, 19) rounds in pattern.
DECREASES
Decrease 1 st at each side of marker
every 14th round 4, 5, (5, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times
then every 12th round 4, 0 (3, 3) 0, 0 (0, 0) times
then every 10th round 0, 0 (0, 7) 0, 2 (0, 0) times
then every 8th round 0, 0 (0, 0) 10, 11 (0, 0) times
then every 6th round 0, 0 (0, 0) 7, 0 (16, 15) times
then every 4th round 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (2, 4) times
[38, 44 (44, 44) 44, 50 (50, 56) sts].
Continue without increasing in stripe pattern until sleeve measures 39, 39.5 (40, 40.5) 41.5, 42 (43, 43) (or desired length) measuring from underarm.
CUFF
Switch to smaller dpn needles
Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms. Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
Abbreviations
k – knit
P – purl
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, place stitches back onto left needle, knit both slipped sts together
m1l – pick up from front to back the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through back loop
m1r – pick up from back to front the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through the front loop
Download Michael Dress PDF
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