Odacier, Ellen Mason Design: Dress + Cardigan: Installment 2

dress no.2

Thanks for dropping by! This is a posting of my second project of Dress + Cardigan: a Codependent Study. Dress no.2 is a quilter's cotton that has been in my stash for years, and a twin to dress no.1 (they were cut at the same time, along with their triplet -- another day). I have been surprised by a couple of things already in this journey. This fabric didn't excite me much all folded on the shelf, but I really like it sewn and washed. Also, a dress like this with a slip and a pair of tights is ridiculously comfortable - nothing to fuss with or tuck and retuck.

invisible escape hatch

Dress no.2's companion cardigan is Fannie Fouche, pattern available today. It is knit from Ball and Skein's Providence yarn, a scrumptious merino with stretch and squish.

My Grandfather, Pop, was stationed in France during the First World War and for a few months after Armistice Day. He sent rosy, hopeful and comforting letters home to his Mother, Fannie Fouche Hardy. This design is inspired by the styles of the time plus a little bit of today’s hopeful and comforting approach to styling.

CONSTRUCTION
Knit from the top down, with the sleeve caps knit at the same time as the yoke, and then separated into sleeves and body. A seamless path, a knitter’s journey! The decorative stitch patterns on the front and back are easily memorized.

FINISHED SIZE
30-32-34-36---38-40-42-44---46-48-50-52 inch bust circumference

YARN
Ball and Skein's Providence Wool (shown in Sea Grass)
5-6-6-6---7-7-8-8---8-9-9-9 skeins
200 yds - 4 oz (115g)
Variegated yarn is not recommended for this design. If using a semi-solid, such as Providence, alternating skeins every two rows helps to prevent color pooling and maintains the rich overall depth of color.

YARDAGE
1000-1080-1130-1180---1280-1350-1410-1480---1590-1660-1720-1790 estimated yards

GAUGE
20 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles

NEEDLES
US sizes 6 and 7 suggested: 40“ circular (or longer if available) and sets of double pointed needles.
A set of US size 4, any length or style, for the belt.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge, as every knitter creates their own unique gauge.

NOTIONS

9 Stitch markers: 4 to indicate shaping, plus 4 of a different color or style to indicate decorative stitch panel boundaries, plus 1 locking marker for row counting.
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Stitch holders or waste yarn
9 buttons of your dreams

SKILLS USED
Short rows (instructions included), knitting a small circumference in the round, magic or traveling loop, ‘at the same time’ shaping.

This pattern has full descriptions, diagrams, written directions and charts. Some directions are written two ways for clarity, and there are also some handy tips included. My hope is that an intermediate knitter finishes this sweater feeling confident that they have a new technique or two in their arsenal. As a result, there are many pages to this pattern. Printing it in black ink only and using both sides of the paper will help to conserve, if that is a concern for you.