This design is part of the Little Grey Cells Vol. 1 collection, which is inspired by the characters and settings in the works of Agatha Christie.
It is available both as an individual pattern and as part of this eBook.

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Ariadne Oliver is a mystery novelist and a good friend of Hercule Poirot’s, and is sometimes seen as being, at least in part, a self-portrait of Agatha Christie herself. Unconventional, wildly imaginative and adventurous, Ariadne Oliver is a good role model for fearless, active, creative little girls everywhere.

This swingy, comfortable, versatile garment is inspired by Ariadne Oliver’s artistic, slightly bohemian flair. I can picture her going from a day of writing at home, surrounded by apple cores and hairpins, to a book-signing event in the evening, wearing the same exuberant drop-waist dress, just adjusting her unruly hair before heading out the door.

CONSTRUCTION:

The yoke of this dress is worked seamlessly from the top down, first flat with some short row shaping, then in the round until underarm level. The sleeves are then separated from the body, which is worked in one piece to the hem, featuring a dropped waist and a hi-low skirt shaped by short rows (link to video tutorial provided). The sleeve stitches are returned to the needles and worked in the round (4 sleeve length options are suggested). Stitches are picked up around the back neck opening to work the button loop closure. Alternatively two ribbons can be sewn to the neckline edges.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, yarn over, knitting in the round, picking up stitches, binding off, short rows (detailed instructions and links to tutorials provided), binding off, wet-blocking.

SIZES:

• 3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo, 10yo)
• To fit chest: 16 (17, 18, 19 // 21, 23, 25, 26.5, 28) inches or 40.5 (43, 45.5, 48.5 // 53.5, 58.5, 63.5, 67.5, 71) cm
• Garment chest circumference at underarms: 18.5 (19.25, 21, 22 // 23.5, 26, 27.75, 28.75, 29.5) inches or 47 (49, 53.5, 56 // 59.5, 66, 70.5, 73, 75) cm

I recommend choosing a size based on the recipient’s actual chest measurements instead of the age label. You can also choose a size according to how much ease you’d like the garment to have.

YARN REQUIREMENTS:

Approximately 300 (350, 425, 500 // 550, 625, 725, 825, 900) yds or 274 (320, 389, 457 // 503, 571, 663, 754, 823) meters of worsted to dk (10 to 8 ply) weight yarn (this yardage is for the long sleeve version)

NEEDLES:

• US 7 or 4.5 mm circular needle (or size needed to match stockinette stitch gauge) 16 inches or 40 cm in length. For sizes 4yo and up only: an extra needle of the same diameter 24 inches or 60 cm in length

• 1 set of matching dpns for sleeve

• US 6 or 4 mm circular needle (or one size smaller than needles used to match stockinette gauge) 24 inches or 60 cm in length for neckline and hem

• 1 set of matching dpns for sleeve cuff

NOTIONS:

• 5 markers, including one contrasting-colored marker
• tapestry needle
• 2 stitch holders or pieces of scrap yarn
• one button 1/2 inch or 12 mm in diameter, (or button of desired diameter as button loop size is adjustable), OR two 8-inch or 20-cm pieces of grosgrain ribbon for back neck ties.

GAUGE:

19 sts x 26 rounds = 4 inches or 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round using larger needles, after blocking

Please adjust needle size if needed to achieve the recommended gauge