Lorca Dress Knitting Pattern

Lorca Dress in Berroco Modern Linen

What Is Being Made

The Lorca Dress is an intermediate-level knitted dress designed by the Berroco Design Team. This garment features a fitted silhouette with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 inches to 68 inches across nine sizes, making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The dress is knee-length, with finished lengths ranging from 38 inches to 41 inches depending on size. The design is shown modeled with approximately 6½ inches of positive ease, with recommended ease of 2–4 inches for a comfortable fit.

Techniques Used

The Lorca Dress employs fundamental knitting construction techniques appropriate for intermediate knitters. The back and front pieces are worked flat in stockinette stitch, then seamed together to create the finished garment. The pattern incorporates a structured color sequence that adds visual interest to the dress. Blocking is an essential finishing step, as gauge is measured after blocking to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Lorca Dress is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat knit side and a purl side. This fundamental stitch is worked consistently across the back and front panels, providing a clean canvas for the color work incorporated into the design.

Color Work and Yarn

The Lorca Dress features a coordinated color sequence using Berroco Modern Linen, a linen-blend yarn. The color palette consists of four complementary shades:

• C1: Rosy Sandstone (#11363) – the primary color, used for the first 9 inches of the dress
• C2: Spice (#11360) – a warm accent color
• C3: Cherry (#11355) – a deeper tone for contrast
• C4: Fire Engine (#11350) – a bright accent used sparingly

Yarn quantities vary by size, with smaller sizes requiring 2 hanks each of C1, C2, and C3, plus 1 hank of C4. Larger sizes may require up to 3 hanks of certain colors. The Modern Linen yarn is a breathable, natural-fiber option ideal for a dress garment.

Needles and Notions

The Lorca Dress is knitted using two needle sizes to create proper fabric density. Size 2 / 2.75 mm needles are used for ribbed sections and finishing, while size 4 / 3.5 mm needles are used for the main stockinette stitch fabric. A 16-inch circular needle in size 2 / 2.75 mm is recommended for working certain sections. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is critical for obtaining accurate finished measurements. The pattern emphasizes that gauge should be measured after blocking, as the linen blend yarn will relax and settle during the blocking process. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the dress to ensure the finished garment meets the intended dimensions.

Sizing Information

The Lorca Dress is available in nine sizes organized in three groups: sizes 1–3, sizes 4–6, and sizes 7–9. Finished bust measurements range from 36 inches (91.5 cm) in the smallest size to 68 inches (172.5 cm) in the largest size. Hip measurements and length also increase across the size range, with the smallest size finishing at 38 inches in length and the largest at 41 inches. The sample dress shown is size 2 with a finished bust of 40½ inches, modeled with 6½ inches of positive ease.