Knits for GIRLS and YOUNG JUNIORS

An easy lace repeat for the bottom border, sleek shaping, and I-cord detail make this a special occasion dress for any young girl’s graduation, or a teenager’s party or a simple walk on the beach. Lace sleeves add a touch of elegance, but they can be omitted for the knitter not yet ready to incorporate decreases into a lace pattern. I say give it a try; the reward will be well worth it!

chpt_fig_050

SIZES

Girls 6 (7, 8, 10, 12): Young Juniors 5/6 (7/8, 9/10, 11/12)

Instructions are written for size 6; all other sizes are in parentheses. Girls’ and young junior sizes are separated with a colon. For ease in knitting, circle your size before beginning.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 25 (26, 27, 28, 30): 28 (30, 31, 32) in. / 63.5 (66, 68.5, 71, 76): 71 (76, 78.5, 81.5) cm

Waist: 22½ (23, 24, 24½, 25): 22 (23, 24, 25) in. / 57 (58.5, 61, 62, 63.5): 56 (58.5, 61, 63.5) cm

Total length: 28 (29, 30, 32, 34): 33 (34, 36, 38) in. / 71 (73.5, 76, 81.5, 86.5): 84 (86.5, 91.5, 96.5) cm

YARN

Cascade Yarns Heritage 150; 1.3 oz. / 150 g each approx. 492 yd. / 450 m; 75% merino wool, 25% nylon

• 3 skeins #5682 White

MATERIALS

• Size US 5 / 3.75 mm 24 in. / 61 cm circular needles (or size to obtain gauge)

• Size US 5 / 3.75 mm 16 in. / 40.5 cm circular needles

• Size US 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles

• Tapestry needle

• Waste yarn

• Ring-type markers, two colors

GAUGE

26 sts and 32 rows to 4 in. / 10 cm in St st

PATTERN NOTES

• Dress is worked from the bottom up in the round to armholes, then back and front are divided and worked separately. The three-needle bind-off (see page XX) is used at the shoulders, and sleeves are picked up and worked in the round.

• See page XX for instructions on how to work the I-cord cast-on and I-cord bind-off.

DRESS

Using I-cord cast-on, make 176 (176, 184, 192, 201): 184 (192, 200, 208) sts. Place marker and join into the round, being careful not to twist I-cord. This will be the back of the dress, and the beginning of the round.

Change to St st (knit every round) and work until piece measures 6 in. / 15 cm from beginning.

Place side markers as follows (these side markers are essential): Knit 44 (44, 46, 48, 50): 46 (48, 50, 52), PM, knit 88 (88, 92, 96, 100); 92 (96, 100, 104) for front, PM, and continue to beginning of rnd (ending at center back).

Decrease rnd: *Knit to within 3 sts of side marker, k2tog, k1, SM, k1, ssk; repeat from *once more at other side marker and knit to end of rnd.

Work a decrease rnd every 9th (10th, 9th, 9th, 8th): 8th (8th, 9th, 9th) rnd 10 (9, 10, 11, 12): 13 (14, 14, 15) times total [136 (140, 144, 148, 152): 132 (136, 144, 148) sts rem].

Work even, if necessary, until piece from beginning measures approx. 13½ (13½, 13½, 14, 15): 15 (16½, 17½, 19) in. / 34 (34, 34, 35.5, 38): 38 (42, 44.5, 48.5) cm (or desired length to waist).

Increase rnd: *Knit to within 1 st of side marker, M1, k1, SM, k1, M1; repeat from * once more at other side marker and knit to end of rnd.

Work an increase rnd every 11th (13th, 14th, 12th, 10th): 5th (5th, 6th, 7th) rnd 4 (4, 4, 5, 7): 9 (11, 10, 11) times total [152 (156, 160, 168, 180): 168 (180, 184, 192) sts rem].

Work even, if necessary, until piece from waist measures approx. 5½ (6½, 7, 8, 9): 6 (7, 7½, 8) in. / 14 (16.5, 18, 20.5, 23): 15 (18, 19, 20.5) cm, or desired length to underarm.

Divide for front and back as follows: Knit to second side marker, then slip all front sts just worked to waste yarn or spare circular needle for holding, continue around to beginning of round, remove marker, and continue knitting across to end of row. You should have 76 (78, 80, 84, 90): 84 (90, 92, 96) sts on working needle (for back) and the same amount on hold for front.

BACK

Armhole Shaping

Bind off 3 (3, 3, 4, 5): 5 (5, 4, 4) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Helpful hint: Place a hanging marker somewhere in the middle of the first row to aid in the counting of rows, to ensure that the front and back are the same length.

Repeat last 2 rows 2 (2, 0, 1, 3): 3 (3, 1, 2) times more to 64 (66, 72, 72, 72): 66 (72, 80, 82) sts.

Work even with no further decreases until piece from armhole shaping measures 2½ in. / 6.5 cm. End having completed a WS row.

With new yarn, from the RS, bend I-cord forward and pick up and knit into each st across in the row below and behind cord.

Next row: Purl across, decreasing or adding one st at edge so that your total number of sts equals 65 (65, 73, 73, 73): 65 (73, 81, 81). We will begin the Lace Pattern next, which must be a multiple of 8+1.

Work Rows 1–8 until lace (from I-cord) measures 2½ ( 3½, 3½, 4, 4½): 2½ (3½, 4, 4) in. / 6.5 (9, 9, 10, 11.5): 6.5 (9, 10, 10) cm. End having completed a WS row.

Place 14 (14, 16, 16, 16): 14 (16, 18, 18) sts on holder or waste yarn for shoulder, then place center 37 (37, 41, 41, 41): 37 (41, 45, 45) sts on a separate holder for neck, and rem 14 (14, 16, 16, 16): 14 (16, 18, 18) sts on a holder or waste yarn for other shoulder.

FRONT

Beginning on WS, join yarn and work armhole shaping, I-cord, and Lace Pattern same as for back. End having worked a WS row.

Place all live sts from front and back neck on a circular needle. Beginning at shoulder seam, join new yarn and work I-cord bind-off. Stitch cord ends together.

SLEEVES

Beginning at underarm, from the RS, pick up and knit 60 (72, 78, 78, 84): 60 (72, 78, 84) sts (try pick up 2, skip 1). PM for beginning of round, then knit 6 (8, 7, 7, 10): 10 (12, 7, 10) sts, place a different color marker, work Row 1 of Lace Pattern for Sleeves (below) over next 48 (56, 64, 64, 64): 40 (48, 64, 64) sts, knit to last 6 (8, 7, 7, 10): 10 (12, 7, 10) sts, PM, w&t, purl back to first different color marker, w&t.

Working back and forth in rows, continue working each row of Lace Pattern for Sleeves while picking up wrap on st before w&t until short rows meet at beginning-of-the-round marker. You should still have the original number of picked up sts (lace pattern between markers and St sts at underarm) and a beautiful little shaped cap for the start of your sleeve. Proceed working in the round as follows:

Hint: After decreasing all St sts away, place a marker every 8-st repeat nearest beginning and end of round to keep lace pattern correct on less than the 8-st repeat.

Work a decrease rnd every 7th ( 6th, 5th, 5th, 5th): 7th (6th, 5th, 5th) rnd 13 (16, 19, 19, 21): 13 (16, 19, 21) times to 35 (41, 41, 41, 43): 35 (41, 41, 43) sts.

Work even if necessary until sleeve measures 11½ (12, 12½, 13, 13½): 11½ (12, 13, 13½) in. / 29 (30.5, 32, 33, 34.5): 29 (30.5, 33, 34.5) cm, or desired length from underarm. End having completed a WS round.

Note: When sleeves are joined after short-row shaping, the even-numbered purl rows become knit rnds.

White Dress