Esla Dress Knitting Pattern

Esla Dress in Berroco Mantra

What is Being Made

The Esla Dress is a sophisticated knitted garment designed by Alison Green, featured in Berroco Booklet #404. This dress is a top-down construction piece that offers seven size options with finished bust measurements ranging from 32 inches to 60 inches. The dress features an approximate length of 46 inches across all sizes and is designed with cap sleeves created using short-row shaping. The garment showcases lace detailing integrated throughout the design, making it an elegant choice for intermediate to experienced knitters.

Techniques Used

The Esla Dress employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its sophisticated construction:

• Top-Down Construction: The dress is worked from the top down, beginning with the back and front pieces worked separately before being joined at the underarm.
• Seamless In-the-Round Knitting: After the back and front are joined at the underarm, the remainder of the dress is worked in continuous rounds using circular needles.
• Short-Row Shaping: Shoulder shaping is accomplished using short rows with wrap-and-turn techniques, creating a fitted garment that drapes elegantly. Cap sleeves are also created using short-row construction at the end of the project.
• Lace Charting: The design incorporates lace patterns worked from charts, adding visual interest and texture to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the base fabric of the dress, providing a smooth, classic appearance.
• Lace Stitches: Decorative lace patterns are worked from charts over the garment, creating openwork sections that add elegance and visual dimension.
• Wrap-and-Turn (w&t): Used throughout the short-row shaping sections to create smooth transitions and prevent holes in the fabric.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

Yarn: The Esla Dress is designed to be worked 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 size 36 inches using color #4402 Cream. Berroco Mantra is specifically chosen for this design, and the pattern recommends using the called-for yarn to ensure accurate measurements and proper drape.

Needles: The pattern requires circular needles in multiple sizes to accommodate different sections of the dress. A 16-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is used for smaller circumferences, a 29-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) is used for larger sections, and a 24-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) is used for ribbed or fitted areas. Knitters should obtain the correct gauge on the larger needle before beginning.

Notions: Additional supplies include stitch markers (with one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of rounds), waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a size 3.75 mm (F) crochet hook for finishing details.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this dress, as the weight of the finished garment may expand the row gauge. The pattern specifies 20 stitches and 30 rows/rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needle, and 18 stitches and 30 rows/rounds over 4 inches when working lace charts on the larger needle. Knitters are strongly advised to knit and block gauge swatches before beginning the project to ensure accurate finished measurements.