"Alice Dress" - Dress Knitting Pattern For Girls in Willow & Lark Nest

Alice Dress Knitting Pattern – Girls' Lace Hem Dress in Willow & Lark Nest

The Alice Dress is a charming girls' knitting pattern from Willow & Lark, part of their Fledgling Collection (2017). Designed to be both elegant and wearable for everyday occasions, this dress features a relaxed silhouette in smooth stocking stitch with a beautifully detailed lace hem that gives it a special, dressy finish without overwhelming the knitter. It is an ideal project for those looking to develop their lace knitting skills within a practical, wearable garment.

What Is Being Made

The Alice Dress is a short-sleeved dress for girls, sized to fit ages 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years, with chest measurements ranging from 56 cm to 71 cm (22–28 in) and actual garment chest measurements of 63 cm to 79 cm (24¾–31 in), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit. The finished length to the shoulder ranges from 50 cm to 65 cm (19¾–25½ in), and sleeve seam lengths range from 9 cm to 12 cm (3½–4¾ in), making it a true dress-length garment suitable for toddlers through older children.

Construction and Techniques

The Alice Dress is constructed using a seamed, worked flat method, meaning the pieces — typically a front, back, and sleeves — are knitted separately as flat panels and then sewn together. This traditional construction approach is well suited to intermediate knitters who are comfortable with finishing techniques such as mattress stitch seaming. Working flat also makes it easier to manage the lace pattern rows, as the knitter can clearly see the right side of the fabric when working the decorative sections.

• Lace knitting: The standout feature of the Alice Dress is its intricate yet easy-to-knit lace hem detail. Lace in knitting is created through a combination of yarn overs and decreases that form decorative openwork patterns. The pattern describes this lace hem as intricate in appearance but accessible in execution, making it an excellent introduction to lace for knitters stepping up from beginner level.
• Stocking stitch: The body and sleeves of the dress are worked in classic stocking stitch — knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side — producing a smooth, even fabric that drapes beautifully and showcases the luxury yarn.
• Seamed construction: Finished pieces are joined using seaming techniques, giving the garment structure and a neat, professional finish.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – used throughout the main body and sleeves
• Lace stitches – yarn overs and corresponding decreases forming the decorative hem pattern

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The Alice Dress is designed specifically for Willow & Lark Nest, a luxurious DK weight yarn with a fibre composition of 69% Wool, 11% Cashmere, and 20% Tencel, sold in 50g / 1¾ oz skeins. This blend combines the warmth and elasticity of wool with the softness of cashmere and the subtle sheen and drape of Tencel, making it a beautiful choice for a child's dress that needs to be both comfortable against the skin and visually appealing. The quantity required ranges from 4 balls for the smallest size up to 7 balls for the largest size.

Suggested colourways include Owl Grey 202 and Rose 221, both of which complement the delicate lace hem detail beautifully.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required:

• 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) needles – typically used for the lace hem or ribbed sections
• 4.00mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles – used for the main stocking stitch body

The recommended tension is 22 stitches and 30 rows to