Tamago dress

Tamago Dress by Takako Takiguchi

What Is Being Made

The Tamago dress is a cocoon-shaped knitted dress designed by independent designer Takako Takiguchi. The name "Tamago" means egg in Japanese, reflecting the garment's distinctive silhouette. This top-down knit dress features a poncho-inspired design with a simple, elegant structure that flatters multiple body types across six size options ranging from S to 3XL.

Design Structure and Construction

The Tamago dress employs a straightforward construction method worked primarily in the round from the top down. The body begins with circular knitting, transitions to flat knitting in the middle section where armholes are created, then returns to circular knitting for the remainder of the body down to the hem. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of in-the-round knitting with the shaping capabilities of flat knitting.

Finished Measurements:

• Widest circumference: 128cm (S), 147cm (M/L), 155cm (L), 164cm (XL), 172cm (2XL), 181cm (3XL)
• Length from top to bottom: 92cm (S), 95cm (M/L), 97cm (L), 99cm (XL), 101cm (2XL and 3XL)

Knitting Techniques Used

The Tamago dress incorporates fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters. Key techniques include circular knitting for seamless construction, flat knitting for armhole shaping, and increases to create the cocoon silhouette. The pattern utilizes the FDKC (Front Double Knit Cross) stitch, which is a decorative cable cross created by slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding it in front, knitting two stitches, then knitting the two stitches from the cable needle.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and fundamental stitches:

• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches for texture variation
• Knit front and back (kfb) for increases
• FDKC (Front Double Knit Cross) for decorative cable detailing
• Slip marker (sm) and place marker (pm) for tracking pattern sections

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Tamago dress is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn, providing a fabric with good drape suitable for the cocoon silhouette. The sample was created using Cascade Venezia Worsted in color #178 Deep Sea.

Yarn Requirements by Size:

• S: 6 skeins (approximately 1020 meters)
• M/L: 6 skeins (approximately 1180 meters)
• L: 7 skeins (approximately 1250 meters)
• XL: 8 skeins (approximately 1400 meters)
• 2XL: 8 skeins (approximately 1470 meters)
• 3XL: 8 skeins (approximately 1550 meters)

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for a 4.5mm circular needle for working the dress in the round and flat sections. The recommended gauge is 18.5 stitches and 26 rows per 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch, which is important to achieve the correct finished measurements.

Additional notions required:

• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and sections
• Cable needle (optional, though useful for the FDKC cable crosses)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Difficulty Level

The Tamago dress is rated as a beginner-level knitting project, making it accessible to knitters new to garment construction. The simple top-down structure, straightforward shaping