The Brigitte Dress

The Brigitte Dress by Brigitte Reydams

Garment Overview

The Brigitte Dress is an intermediate-level knitted dress designed by Brigitte Reydams. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a fitted dress featuring a distinctive chevron stitch pattern throughout the bodice and body. The design showcases elegant shaping through strategic decreases and incorporates multiple yarn textures for visual interest and sophistication.

Techniques and Construction

This dress is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques combined with more advanced shaping methods. The pattern begins with a cast-on foundation worked flat on straight needles, then progresses through stockinette stitch sections and the featured chevron pattern repeat. Shaping is achieved through paired decreases using ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit 2 together) techniques, which create symmetrical decreases on either side of the chevron motif. The dress also incorporates KFB (knit front and back) increases within the chevron pattern for textural definition. Stitch markers are used strategically to denote pattern repeats, helping maintain consistency across the 6 repeats that form the dress width.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch structure worked in knit and purl rows
• Chevron pattern stitch – a 20, 22, or 24-stitch repeat (depending on size) that creates the distinctive V-shaped texture
• Knit front and back (KFB) – used within the chevron pattern for increases
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease

Materials and Gauge

The Brigitte Dress is worked using DK and sport weight yarns held together for a blended fabric. The pattern calls for Prism Euroflex Sport Weight Linen (yarn A) in quantities of 4, 4, or 5 skeins depending on size, combined with Prism Delicato (yarn B) in 3, 3, or 4 skeins. A single skein of Prism Shimmerati (yarn C) is also required, likely for accent or trim details. The pattern is worked on US size 5 and size 7 straight needles, with a size G crochet hook for finishing. The gauge is established at 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch with yarns A and B held together. Each chevron pattern repeat measures between 4 inches and 4¾ inches depending on the chosen size.

Pattern Structure

The dress front begins with a cast-on of 120, 132, or 144 stitches worked on size 5 needles. After 2 knit rows, stitch markers are placed every 20, 22, or 24 stitches to denote the beginning and end of each pattern repeat across 6 repeats. The needle is then changed to size 7 for the chevron pattern section, which is worked for 9 inches from the cast-on edge. The chevron pattern alternates between a textured row featuring increases and decreases and a purl row that creates definition. Subsequent shaping rows introduce additional decreases to form the fitted silhouette of the dress.