Melford Dress Knitting Pattern

Melford Dress in Rowan Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Melford Dress is an advanced-level knitted dress designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 in) through 102-107 cm (40-42 in). This garment showcases intricate lace patterning and delicate construction techniques suitable for experienced knitters seeking a sophisticated, elegant finished piece.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project that employs advanced lace-work techniques throughout the garment. The construction utilizes both flat knitting on straight needles and circular needle work, requiring careful attention to stitch placement and yarn-over sequences. The pattern features complex decreasing methods including slip-stitch decreases and double decreases, combined with strategic yarn-forwards to create open, airy lace motifs. A specialized cluster stitch technique is incorporated, which involves manipulating stitches by slipping them between needles while managing yarn position on both the right and wrong sides of the work.

Stitches Used

The Melford Dress employs a sophisticated array of stitches appropriate to advanced knitters:

• Yarn-forwards (yfwd) – used extensively to create the lace openings
• Knit through back loop (K1 tbl) – twisted stitches that add texture and structure
• Slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) – left-leaning decreases used throughout the lace pattern
• Knit two together (K2tog) – right-leaning decreases
• Purl two together (P2tog) – decreases on wrong-side rows
• Double decreases (sl 2, K1, p2sso) – advanced decrease technique creating pronounced shaping
• Slip 2, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over (sl 2, K1, p2sso) – complex central decrease
• Cluster stitch – a specialized technique involving slipping stitches while manipulating yarn position
• Stockinette stitch (knit and purl) – forms the base fabric between lace sections

Materials

The Melford Dress is designed to be knitted using Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn. Quantities required vary by size: 12 x 25gm balls for the smallest size (32-34 in), 14 x 25gm balls for the medium size (36-38 in), and 15 x 25gm balls for the largest size (40-42 in). The pattern specifies 2¾mm (US 2) needles for the main construction, available in both straight and circular formats. One button (BN1365 from Bedecked) is required for closure. The tension is set at 30 stitches and 40 rows to 10 centimeters measured over pattern using 2¾mm needles, ensuring proper drape and fit of the finished garment.