Cley in Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca - Downloadable PDF

Cley Knitted Dress by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

The Cley is a knitted dress pattern designed by Quail Studio and published by Mode at Rowan. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a fitted knitted dress available in nine sizes, ranging from 28-30 inches to 60-62 inches chest measurement. The actual finished chest measurements of the garment span from 39 inches to 71.25 inches, allowing for a customizable fit across a wide range of body types.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs fundamental dress construction techniques suitable for knitters with some experience. The pattern uses a two-needle construction method, beginning with a ribbed cast-on edge at the lower body. The dress is worked in pieces—back and front panels are knitted separately using a combination of ribbed and stockinette stitch sections, then assembled. The pattern includes shaping techniques for armholes and shoulder seams to create a tailored silhouette. Stitch holders are used during construction to hold stitches in place while working other sections of the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Cley features a prominent rib stitch pattern as a primary design element. The ribbing is worked using alternating knit and purl stitches in a 1x1 rib configuration (K1, P1 repeat), which creates vertical lines that provide both visual interest and elasticity to the fabric. This ribbed texture is worked at a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows per 10 centimeters when slightly stretched, creating a fabric with gentle compression and recovery. The ribbed sections are worked on 5mm needles, while smaller 4.5mm needles are used for edge work, a common technique to create neater, more refined finishing.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Cley is designed to be knitted using Rowan Softest Alpaca yarn in a chunky weight. This luxurious fiber requires between 10 and 19 balls of 50-gram skeins depending on the size selected, with smaller sizes requiring 10 balls and larger sizes up to 19 balls. The pattern was photographed in the colorway Pebble 013. The project requires two pairs of needles: 4.5mm (UK size 7, US size 7) needles for ribbed edging and initial cast-on work, and 5mm (UK size 6, US size 8) needles for the main body of the dress. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing active stitches during garment assembly.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Cley is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and simple garment construction but are ready to tackle more complex shaping and finishing techniques. The use of rib stitch, multiple needle sizes, and fitted shaping through armhole and shoulder decreases requires intermediate-level skills and attention to pattern instructions.