Juniper Moon Farm Xiaji Dress Knitting Pattern

Juniper Moon Farm Xiaji - The Summer Collection Lace Tunic Dress

What Is Being Made

The Xiaji lace tunic dress is a versatile summer garment designed by Mari Chiba for Juniper Moon Farm. This elegant piece offers multiple styling options, functioning as a pool cover-up when worn alone, a fun and flirty summer dress when layered over a slip, or a sophisticated tunic when paired with leggings and a tank top. The design is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 31 inches to 58 inches and lengths from 34¼ inches to 42¾ inches, making it suitable for a wide range of body types and preferences.

Knitting Techniques

This lace tunic dress is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create its beautiful, breathable summer aesthetic:

• Bottom-up construction: The dress is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust the length to personal preference.
• Worked flat: The piece is knitted flat on circular needles rather than in the round, then seamed together to create the finished garment. This approach provides flexibility in pattern placement and shaping.
• Lace patterning: The dress features intricate lace motifs that create an open, airy fabric perfect for warm weather wear. The lace patterns include both Cellular Stitch and Triangle Eyelet designs.
• Seamed construction: Pieces are joined together using seaming techniques, creating clean, professional finishing throughout the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Xiaji dress employs specialized stitch patterns that define its elegant appearance:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The foundational stitch used throughout much of the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric base with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches.
• Cellular Stitch: A decorative lace pattern worked over 4 rows that creates a textured, cellular appearance. Row 1 (right side) uses knit-two-together and yarn-over combinations (*K2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end), while Row 2 and Row 4 are purled on the wrong side. Row 3 alternates the yarn-over and decrease placement (*Yo, k1, k2tog; rep from * to end) to create the characteristic cellular texture. This stitch pattern has a gauge of 21 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches.
• Triangle Eyelet: An advanced lace pattern that creates decorative eyelet holes in a triangular arrangement. This stitch involves pass-over decreases, yarn-overs, and knitting into stitches from the row below, creating an intricate openwork effect. The pattern spans 5 rows and includes stitch count variations that are carefully managed throughout the pattern rows.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Xiaji dress is designed to be knitted with specific materials that ensure proper drape and gauge:

• Yarn: Juniper Moon Farm Zooey in colorway #2 Toasted Coconut. The yardage required varies by size, ranging from 4 balls for size XS to 10 balls for size 3X, allowing knitters to select the appropriate quantity for their chosen size.
• Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches in length. Circular needles are used for working flat despite the needle style, providing the necessary width to accommodate the dress width while maintaining control over the stitches. Knitters should use the needle size that allows them to achieve the specified gauge.
• Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and scrap yarn or a stitch holder for temporarily securing stitches during construction.

Design Features and Versatility

The Xiaji lace tunic dress is engineered for maximum versatility in summer styling. The open lace patterns provide breathability and visual interest, while the tunic length and relaxed fit accommodate various body shapes. Knitters can experiment with different slip colors underneath—bright, contrasting slips create a playful aesthetic, while matching slips offer a more sophisticated, coordinated appearance suitable for going out. The pattern's multiple size options ensure that knitters of different experience levels and body types can create a garment that fits