Berroco Esla Dress Knitting Pattern

Berroco Esla Knit Dress

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Esla is a sophisticated knit dress designed for experienced knitters, created by Alison Green and featured in Booklet #404. This garment is a top-down constructed dress available in seven sizes, ranging from 32" to 60" bust measurements, with a finished length of approximately 46" for all sizes. The dress features an elegant lace pattern combined with stockinette stitch sections, making it a refined piece suitable for various occasions.

Construction Techniques

The Esla dress employs a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust the length. The back and front pieces are worked separately using flat knitting on circular needles, then joined at the underarm to transition into in-the-round construction for the body. This hybrid approach combines the benefits of flat and circular knitting techniques.

The dress incorporates short-row shaping at the shoulders to create proper fit and structure. Cap sleeves are added as a finishing element, picked up from the armhole edges and worked using short-row shaping to create a graceful, fitted sleeve cap. The use of waste yarn allows for holding stitches during construction, enabling seamless transitions between sections.

Stitches and Lace Details

The pattern utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, combined with intricate lace stitch patterns worked from charts. The lace elements add visual interest and create an elegant, feminine aesthetic. The gauge for lace sections is slightly different from stockinette stitch sections—18 stitches and 30 rows equal 4" over the lace charts on the larger needle, compared to 20 stitches and 30 rows for stockinette stitch. This difference is important for accurate finished measurements and proper fit.

The pattern is written primarily in rounds, requiring knitters to maintain awareness of both stitch and row gauge to ensure accuracy. The combination of stitch types creates a balanced garment with textured lace panels and smooth stockinette sections.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Esla dress is designed to be knit in Berroco Mantra, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for 8 to 14 balls depending on size, with the sample shown in Cream (#4402). Berroco Mantra is a yarn choice that works well for this design, and the pattern recommends using the specified yarn to achieve the intended drape and finished measurements.

Needles and Tools Required

• 16" circular needle, size 6 (4.00 mm)
• 29" circular needle, size 6 (4.00 mm) for casting on and initial flat sections
• 24" circular needle, size 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbing or other sections requiring smaller gauge
• Stitch markers, including one in a different color to mark the beginning of rounds
• Waste yarn for holding stitches during construction
• Crochet hook, size 3.75 mm (F), for finishing techniques

Gauge and Finishing Considerations

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this dress, as the weight of the finished garment may expand the row gauge after washing and blocking. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows or rounds equal 4" in stockinette stitch on the larger needle. Knitters are strongly advised to knit, wash, and block gauge swatches before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper fit.

The dress requires careful attention to both stitch and row gauge due to the combination of stockinette and lace sections. Proper blocking after completion will help achieve the intended drape and finished dimensions of the garment.