Georgeous design. I love my finished dress, and will truly wear it a lot.
The pattern was easy to follow. The only thing I struggled with, was picking up stitches for the collar. I would do this in two steps (working the I-cord first and pick up new stitches for the collar) instead of picking up stitches on two needles at the same time.
Info from pattern:
Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 10 cm in St st
Needle size: US 4 - 3.5 mm
Yarn ordered from ull.no:
Ask ullgarn, mørk cyklamen (kald), Varenummer: 6135, 8 skeins (I used less than 6 skeins).
Size: 3, but since it comes out wider, it will be more like size 4. My bust size is 97 cm, so it’s okay, since the ease should be between 20-40 cm; and the yarn weight should narrow the stitch count a bit at the end, pulling it down.
Measurements washed:
- Length, from neck (lower I-cord) to hem: 88 cm.
- Width measured flat (under the sleeves): 63 cm
Modifications:
- Length modification: Body separated for armholes at about 40 cm from split.
- I found it difficult to pick up sts for the collar as described in pattern, and had to improvise, sewing the I-cord to the first tight collar round, due to loose stitches. Next time, I might work the I-cord without making YOs, and pick up the collar sts later.
My gauge (swatch): I got stitch gauge with needle 3.0 mm (ChiaoGoo red lace needles).
My row gauge (dress):
Unwashed:
105 rows slightly stretched (unwashed) = 30 cm. 35 rows slightly stretched (unwashed) = 10 cm.
Washed and dried:
-Rows:
102 rows unstretched = about 30 cm. 34 rows unstretched = 10 cm.
-Stitches:
21 sts = 10 cm. Lower body is one size wider than planned (size 4 instead of 3; 65 cm width).
Skein weight:
(1) 101 g. Used for lower back/ 8.5 chart repeats: 77 g (24g left). About 4 g per cm. Used up 10 cm after join.
(2) 102 g. Used for lower front/ 8.5 chart repeats: 78 g (24 g left). Used up 5 cm after join.
(3) 103 g. Attached 10 cm from split join.
(4) 98 g. Attached 30 cm from split join. Almost all used up at the end of the upper back.
(5) 105 g. Attached at beginning of upper front. Remaining at the end of front: 50 g. Remaining when 1st sleeve is done: 4 g.
(6) 103 g, attached at beginning of 2nd sleeve. 38g left at the end (65 g used).
Used total: 101+102+103+98+105+65g =
574 g
(7) not used
(8) not used
Tips:
Edge stitch rules to remember:
- Always slip 1st stitch wyib and purl last stitch.
- The two other sts are either slipped wyif or knit, and mirrored.
- Center st is always slipped wyif on RS, and knit on WS.
Project notes:
- Back: 8.5 chart repeats before joining, slightly stretched = 29 cm. I stopped there. Same section washed and dried: length 29 cm unstretched, width 65 cm (with edge rolled in).
- Length modification: Body separated for armholes at about 40 cm from split.
- Shoulder join done with crochet hook from WS, with slip stitches.
- Sleeve length before washing: 38 cm unstretched (will probably be 40 cm when washed, this is 1 cm less than in pattern).
Progress:
- 8.april: both split parts finished (back and front) and joined.
- 24.april: Body separated for armholes.
- 29.april (1 month after starting): back is done to before the shoulder/ neck decreases.
- 8.mai: front and back joined at the shoulders.
- 14.mai: 1st sleeve finished, 2nd sleeve started.