Between the Lines Dress

Between the Lines Dress by Hope Vickman

Garment Overview

The Between the Lines Dress is a seamless, top-down knit design created by designer Hope Vickman. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a fitted dress with raglan shaping, available in five sizes ranging from 34 inches to 42 inches bust measurement. The dress features a sophisticated construction method that eliminates the need for seaming, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their seamless garment skills.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

This pattern is offered in five graduated sizes with the following finished measurements:

• Bust: 34(36, 38, 40, 42) inches / 86.5(91.5, 96.5, 102, 107) cm
• Waist: 28.5(30.5, 32.5, 34.5, 36.5) inches / 72.5(77.5, 82.5, 87.5, 92.5) cm
• Hips: 37(39, 41, 43, 45) inches / 94(99, 104, 109, 114.5) cm
• Sleeve Length: 12.5(12.75, 13.5, 13.75, 14.25) inches / 32(32.5, 34.5, 35, 36) cm
• Dress Length: 33(33.5, 34, 34.5, 35) inches / 84(85, 86.5, 87.5, 89) cm

Construction Technique

The Between the Lines Dress employs a top-down seamless construction method, meaning knitting begins at the neckline and progresses downward to the hem. This approach offers several advantages: the knitter can try on the garment during construction to ensure proper fit, and the seamless construction eliminates the need for finishing work. The pattern incorporates raglan shaping, a classic sleeve cap technique where diagonal increases create sloped shoulders that transition smoothly from the body to the sleeves.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques appropriate for intermediate-level knitters:

• 2x2 Ribbing: A reversible knit-purl pattern (K 2, P 2 repeated) commonly used for cuffs, waistbands, and necklines to create elasticity and a finished appearance
• Raglan Increases: Strategic increases worked at marked positions to create the sloped shoulder shaping characteristic of raglan sleeves
• M1L (Make One Left): A left-leaning increase technique that adds a new stitch while maintaining stitch count continuity
• M1R (Make One Right): A right-leaning increase technique used in conjunction with M1L to create balanced, symmetrical shaping
• Backward Loop Cast-On: A simple cast-on method used to add stitches during construction, particularly useful for seamless garment techniques

Materials Required

This pattern calls for yarn in DK weight, a medium-light yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and stitch definition. The knitter will need standard knitting needles appropriate for DK-weight yarn, along with the following notions:

• Five stitch markers for tracking raglan increase positions and pattern sections
• Scrap or waste yarn for holding stitches during construction
• A tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and any finishing work

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Between the Lines Dress is suitable for knitters with foundational skills in basic stitches, increasing, and working in the round. The seamless top-down construction and raglan shaping require comfort with stitch markers and the ability to follow multi-step pattern repeats, but the techniques used are well-established and clearly explained in the pattern instructions.