A beautifully finished, heirloom-quality dress that is surprisingly straightforward to knit, Petite Fleur features a classic yet breezy silhouette and a sophisticated lace peplum detail (which can also be left off for a simpler everyday dress).
Note: The lace motif is easy enough for a beginner lace knitter and both a chart and written instructions are provided.

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CONSTRUCTION:

This garment is knit seamlessly from the bottom up, featuring a closed hem, and the skirt portion is worked in the round to the underarms. Both a dress length and a top length are suggested.The front and the back are worked flat, then joined using a three-needle-bind off. Stitches are picked up at the neckline and armholes to create the edging, and around the back neck opening to work the button loop closure. Alternatively, two ribbons can be sewn to the neckline edges.
Finally, a peplum featuring an easy lace pattern is worked from stitches picked up around the base of the bodice.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Provisional cast on (optional), working a closed hem (explanations provided in pattern), knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, yarn over, knitting in the round, picking up stitches, binding off, following an easy lace pattern (both written instructions and a chart are provided), wet-blocking (explanations provided in pattern).

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: 16.5 (18, 19, 20 // 22, 24, 26, 27.5, 29) inches or 42 (45.5, 48.5, 51 // 56, 61, 66, 70, 73.5) cm

In general, it’s best to select the size based on the recipient’s actual chest measurement 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 350 (450, 550, 650 // 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100) yards or 320 (411, 503, 594 // 665, 875, 984, 1094, 1203) meters of fingering (4 ply) to sport (5 ply) weight yarn

I used Diversa by Lana Grossa 74% cotton, 26% viscose for the 2yo size sample. Any yarn of a similar weight with good drape and stitch definition can be substituted as long as you match the recommended gauge.
Note: The yardage corresponds to the Dress length.

NEEDLES:

• US 4 or 3.5 mm circular needle (or size needed to match stockinette stitch gauge). Length: 16-inch or 40 cm for sizes 3mo to 4yo, and 24-inch or 60 cm for sizes 6yo and up for bodice.
• US 6 or 4 mm circular needle (or two sizes larger than needles used to match stockinette gauge). Length: 16-inch or 40 cm for sizes 3mo to 12mo, and 24-inch or 60 cm for sizes 18mo and up for skirt portion.
• US 2 1/2 or 3 mm circular needle (or two sizes smaller than needles used to match stockinette gauge) of the same length as above for hem, neckline and armhole edging if using magic loop technique.
• US 2 1/2 or 3 mm set of double-pointed needles for armhole edging if not using magic loop technique and for back neck closure.

NOTIONS:

• 2 stitch markers, including one contrasting-colored marker (optional: more markers to separate the lace repeats)
• tapestry needle
• one to two buttons 1/2 inch or 12 mm in diameter, (or buttons 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:

24 sts x 32 rounds = 4 inches or 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round using medium-diameter needle, after blocking.

Please adjust needle size if needed to achieve the recommended gauge