After getting engaged and spending that first weekend of bliss browsing Pinterest, it came to my attention that the white dress had been done many times, and I was not about to wear white on my special day when I haven’t worn white at any point since a winter jacket I came to regret in middle school. I decided to make a simple but cheery dress in the meagre 2 months of our engagement. The houses along the bottom represent the importance of community and our love of Reykjavík, Iceland where we were married and now live.

With 10 different sizes of top and 2 different skirt sizes, this dress is knit in two pieces, then seamed at the middle, right at your natural waist to add structure to hold up the voluminous skirt, and make your waist look as small as possible.

I chose to wear mine with a crinoline underneath but it can also be worn as is with stunning results. This dress can be worn by day or by night and easily dressed up or dressed down, a great piece for when you know you’ll be spending some time outdoors and want to be cute but toasty.

You can knit either the top or the skirt first, I chose to knit the skirt first, get the bulk of the knitting out of the way while I was still excited about the project.

Shown in a size 6 top with smaller skirt size on a model with a 35inch bust worn with 0 inches of ease.

(I wore it with the Lucca shawl from Jared Flood on my wedding day and that is what you see in the pictures)

• Sizes for the top:

0 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18)

• Measurement at full bust:

32 (33, 34, 35, 36, 37.5, 39, 40.5, 42.5, 44.5) inches,
81.2 (83.8, 86.3, 88.9, 91.4, 95.3, 99, 102.8, 108, 113)cm

• Yardage for each size with small skirt:

MC: 1950 (2000, 2050, 2100, 2200, 2250, 2300, 2400, 2450, 2500) m,
6 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7) skeins.
CC: 300 m, 2 skeins. (100 grams)

• Yardage for each size with Large skirt:

MC: 2250 (2300, 2350, 2400, 2500, 2550, 2600, 2700, 2750, 2800) m,
7 (7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8) skeins.
CC: 400 m, 3 skeins. (150 grams)

• Suggested Gauge:

Using 3,5mm in Stockinette Stitch: 28 sts x 35 rounds.
Using 2,75mm in Stockinette Stitch: 30 sts x 41 rounds.

• Yarn used in sample:

MC: “What the Hay?” Chameleon Sock, Indigodragonfly, 63% Wool, 20% Cashmere, 17% Silk.
(365meters, 100grams)

CC: “Parchment” Fresco, Classic Elite Yarns, 60% Wool, 30% Alpaca, 10% Angora.
(150meters, 50grams)

I chose the Chameleon Sock by Indigodragonfly because of it’s silk content that really adds drape to this large piece. The cashmere doesn’t hurt either. I also liked the kettle dyed technique of the yarn which gives it life without being too busy. I used an angora blend yarn as the contrasting colour because it gives the houses a very nice texture and allows them to puff out a little from the fabric itself, making them look like snowy little houses.

• Notions:

3,5mm circular needle with 32-40” cable.
3,75mm circular needle with 32-40” cable. (optional)
2,75mm circular needle with 24’’ cable.
2,50mm circular needle with 24-40’’ cable.
Magic loop method is used for sleeves.
5 stitch markers.
Tapestry needle.