Kleid in Schachenmayr Silk Wool - 1960

Kleid in Schachenmayr Silk Wool – Knitted Dress Pattern

What is Being Made

This is a downloadable knitting pattern for a women's dress constructed in Schachenmayr Silk Wool yarn. The garment is worked primarily in the round from the bottom up, with the back and front pieces knitted as one continuous section until the armhole shaping begins. The dress features a fitted silhouette with waist shaping and is designed in a chunky yarn weight for a substantial, structured fabric.

Construction Techniques

The dress is constructed using circular knitting techniques on long circular needles, which allows for seamless construction in the round. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 160–180–200–220 stitches, which is immediately increased in the first round through yarn overs to create an openwork detail. The waist shaping is achieved through strategic decreases worked at specific intervals, with the decreases beginning at approximately 30 centimeters in height during the 77th round of the ribbed pattern section. This tailoring technique creates a fitted waist while maintaining the overall structure of the dress.

Stitches Used

• Glatt rechts (Stockinette stitch): Smooth knit stitch worked in the round, forming the main fabric of the dress
• Glatt links (Reverse stockinette): Purl-facing side of stockinette, used for pattern variation
• Querrippenmuster (Horizontal ribbed pattern): A textured ribbed pattern worked horizontally across the dress, measuring 82 rounds and totaling 27 centimeters in height. This pattern is worked with alternating knit and purl stitches (5 knit stitches alternating with 1 purl stitch) to create visual interest and texture
• Yarn overs: Decorative increases used in the opening round to create an openwork lace-like detail
• Decreases: Right-leaning decreases (knit 2 together) and left-leaning decreases (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) are used for waist shaping and armhole construction

Materials and Gauge

This pattern is designed for Schachenmayr Silk Wool, a chunky-weight yarn that combines silk and wool fibers for a luxurious blend. The pattern is worked on long circular needles suitable for chunky yarn. The gauge is critical for achieving the correct finished measurements: in stockinette stitch (both knit and purl sides), the gauge is 18 stitches and 26 rows per 10 centimeters. When working the horizontal ribbed pattern with slight stretching in the width, the gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows per 10 centimeters. The pattern is available in multiple sizes, with cast-on quantities of 160, 180, 200, and 220 stitches to accommodate different finished widths.

Pattern Features

The dress incorporates several design elements that enhance its visual appeal and fit. An openwork detail created by yarn overs appears at the very beginning of the garment. The horizontal ribbed pattern section provides textural contrast against the smooth stockinette sections and contributes significantly to the dress's overall height. Waist shaping is introduced partway through the pattern to create a fitted silhouette, with decreases worked symmetrically on both sides of the round. The chunky yarn weight ensures that the finished garment will have good drape and structure, making it suitable for a variety of occasions.