With lovely details and a striking lace pattern, Ombelle is a romantic and versatile design that is fit to become a true heirloom.
Surprisingly straightforward to knit, this project is appropriate even for knitters with minimal lace knitting experience.

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 an easy allover lace pattern. The sleeve stitches are returned to the needles and worked in the round (3 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), following an easy lace pattern (both written instructions and a chart are 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: 17.25 (18.75, 20, 21.25 // 22.75, 24.75, 26.75, 28, 29.25) inches or 44 (47.5, 51, 54 // 58, 63, 68, 71, 74.5) cm
In general it’s best to go by the recipient’s actual chest measurement when selecting the appropriate size 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 400 (450, 550, 650 // 750, 850, 900, 1000, 1100) yards or 366 (411, 503, 594 // 686, 777, 823, 914, 1006) meters of sport (5 ply) weight yarn (this yardage is for the long sleeve version)
Size 3mo sample (elbow length sleeve version) above is knit in Lang Yarns Cashmerino, colorway 0026. Any yarn of the same weight can be substituted as long as you match gauge.

GAUGE:

24 sts x 36 rounds = 4 inches or 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round using larger needles, after blocking
24 sts x 39 rounds = 4 inches or 10 cm in lace pattern in the round using larger needles after blocking
Please adjust needle size if needed to achieve the recommended gauge.

NEEDLES:

• US 4 or 3.5 mm diameter 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

• matching double-pointed needles (or a long circular needle if using the magic loop technique) for sleeves

• US 3 or 3.25 mm diameter circular needle (or one size smaller in diameter than needles used to match stockinette gauge) 16 inches or 40 cm in length for sizes 3 mo to 2yo and 24 inches or 60 cm for sizes 4yo and up for neckline and waist “band.”

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.