As this dress took form, its violet color and the waterfall effect of the lace border brought the cascading blossoms of Wisteria sinensis to mind. And since W. sinensis means Chinese wisteria, and the lace border is a variation of “Chinese Lace” from Barbara Walker’s 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns—well, the name seemed perfect.

Wisteria is a sleeveless dress worked in the round to the armholes, and the pattern includes instructions for girls’ sizes 3 months through 10 years. The Chinese Lace forms a wide, graceful flounce at the hem, and the vertical ribbed columns give a lean yet non-clingy fit, then curve gently around armholes and neck to echo the undulations of the lace.

Difficulty
Adventurous beginner to intermediate; stitches used include k2tog, k3tog, SSK (or sl1, k1, PSSO), SSSK, and YO. Pattern requires chart reading, and the neckline finishing uses an applied I-cord.

Materials
Yarn: Classic Elite Provence (100% mercerized cotton; 205 yds/186 m per 100 gm skein), color #2622, Japanese lilac. 2 2, 3, 3, 4, 5 skeins
Needles: US #6/4 mm circular needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE, 16-24 inches long depending on size worked. Even after dividing for front and back, I like to work on circular needles, but if you don’t, (optional) 1 set US #6/4 mm straight needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; 1 set US #6/4 mm double-pointed needles (dpns) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle.

Suggested Yarn Substitutions: Tahki Cotton Classic; for an all-seasons version, try Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, and for a cool weather jumper, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash or Karabella Aurora 8.

Sizes & Measurements
3-6 mo 12-18 mo, 2 yrs, 4 yrs, 6-8 yrs, 10 yrs, for chest sizes 16-17 18-19, 20-22, 23-24, 25-27, 28-29 inches, or 41-43 44-49, 50-56, 57-62, 63-69, 70-74 cm.

Garment measurements in inches/cm: Chest circ: 18.5/47 21/53, 24/61, 26.5/67, 29.5/75, 32/81; length in inches/cm: 18/46 19/48, 20/51, 22/56, 26/66, 29/74.