Gray Dress

Directions are for women’s size Small. Changes for Medium, Large and X-Large are in parentheses.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Lower edge - 46 (49-52-56)".
Bust - 34 (36-39-41)".
Length - 35".

MATERIALS
BERROCO SENSUWOOL TWEED (50 grs), 22 (23-24-25 ) balls #7645 Shaker Gray.
Straight knitting needles sizes 6 and 7 OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.
16" length circular knitting needle, size 6.

GAUGE
24 sts = 4"; 28 rows = 4" in k3, p2 rib after blocking using size 7 needles.
26 sts = 4"; 28 rows = 4" in k1, p1 rib after blocking using size 6 needles.
TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

BACK
With larger needles, cast on 137 (147-157-167) sts.
Row 1 (RS): K1 (selvage st), *k3, p2; rep from *, end k1 (selvage st). Continue in k3, p2 rib, with selvage sts each side, until piece measures 19 (18-1/2-18-17-1/2)" from beg.
Note: To make adjustments to finished dress length of 35", work more or less inches at this point.

Dec row 1 (RS): K4, *p2, k3, p2tog, k3; rep from *, end p2, k1 - 124 (133-142-151) sts. Work even in k3, p2, k3, p1 rib as established for 4" more or until piece measures 23 (22-1/2-22-21-1/2)" from beg.
Dec row 2 (RS): K4, *p2tog, k3, p1, k3; rep from *, end p2tog, k1 - 110 (118-126-134) sts. Work 1 row even in pat as established.

Dec row 3 (RS): (K1, p1) 0 (4-0-1) times, *k1, p2tog, (k1, p1) 4 times; rep from * 9 (9-10-11) times more, then for Large size ONLY, k1, p2tog, k1, p1 - 100 (108-114-122) sts. Change to smaller needles and continue in k1, p1 rib as established for bodice and AT SAME TIME, inc 1 st each side every 4th row 5 (5-6-6) times - 110 (118-126-134) sts. Work even until there are 4" in k1, p1 rib and piece measures 27 (26-1/2-26-25-1/2)" from beg.

Shape armholes: Bind off 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows. Dec 1 st each side every other row 7 (7-7-8) times - 84 (92-100-106) sts. Work even until armhole measures 7 (7-1/2-8-8-1/2)".
Shape neck and shoulders: Bind off 5 (6-7-7) sts at beg of next 6 (6-8-4) rows, 6 (7-0-8) sts at beg of next 2 (2-0-4) rows and AT SAME TIME, bind off center 26 (26-28-30) sts and working both sides at once, bind off 4 sts from each neck edge every other row twice.

FRONT
Work as for back, including armhole shaping, until armholes measure 5-3/4 (6-1/4-6-3/4-7-1/4)".
Shape neck: Work 31 (35-38-40) sts, join another ball of yarn and bind off center 22 (22-24-26) sts, work to end. Working both sides at once with separate balls of yarn, bind off 3 sts from each neck edge once, 2 sts twice, then dec 1 st every other row 3 times. AT THE SAME TIME, when same length as back, shape shoulders as on back.

SLEEVES
With smaller needles, cast on 53 (55-59-61) sts. Work in k1, p1 rib for 2". Change to larger needles and continue in rib, inc 1 st each side every 4th row 14(17-17-20) times, every 6th row 7(5-5-3) times - 95 (99-103-107) sts. Work even until piece measures 17" from beg.
Shape cap: Bind off 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows, bind off 2 sts at beg of next 6 rows, 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 5 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows - 35(39-42-47) sts. Bind off.

FINISHING
Block pieces to measurements using wet block method and pulling ribs to full extension for best effect. Sew shoulder seams. Set sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams.
Neckband: With circular needle, pick up and k 108 (108-112-116) sts evenly around neck edge. Join and working in rounds, k2 rounds. Bind off knitwise.

Knit and Crochet

beg: beginning
CC: contrasting color
cn: cable needle
cont: continue
dec: decrease
dpn: double pointed needles
est: established
inc: increase
K: knit

KSP: Knit 1, then slip stitch back to left hand needle, lift 2nd stitch on left hand needle back over returned stitch and replace returned stitch on RH needle (1 stitch decreased).
K2SP: Knit 2 together, then slip stitch back to left hand needle, lift second stitch on left hand needle back over returned stitch and replace returned stitch on right hand needle (2 stitches decreased).

LH: left hand
lp(s): loop(s)
LT2 (Left Twist): Skip 1 stitch, knit second stitch through back loop, then knit both stitches together through back loop
MC: main color
M1k: Pick up horizontal strand between stitch just worked and next stitch, place on left hand needle, knit this stitch (1 stitch increased).
M1p: Pick up horizontal strand between stitch just worked and next stitch, place on left hand needle, purl this stitch (1 stitch increased).
p: purl

pat(s): pattern(s)
pm: place marker
psso: pass slip stitch over knit stitch
p2sso: pass 2 slip stitches over knit stitch
rem: remaining
rep: repeat
RH: right hand
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side

RT2 (Right Twist): Knit 2 stitches together, leaving them on the left hand needle, then knit the first stitch again slipping both stitches to the right hand needle.
SKP: slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over
sl: slip
SSK: Slip 2 stitches knitwise, insert point of left hand needle through fronts of these 2 stitches and knit 2 together.
st(s): stitch(es)
TBL: through back loop(s)
tog: together
WS: wrong side
wyib: with yarn in back
wyif: with yarn in front
yo: yarn over

end on WS: end having just completed a Wrong Side row.
end on RS: end having just completed a Right Side row
STOCKINETTE ST (St st): Knit 1 row, purl 1 row alternately when working on straight needles. Knit EVERY round when working on a circular needle.
GARTER ST: Knit EVERY row when working on straight needles. Knit 1 round, purl 1 round when working on a circular needle.

Crochet
bphdc (back post half double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around post of half double crochet one row below, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook (this is worked on even # or wrong side rows)
bptr (back post triple): Yarn over twice, inserthook from back to front around post of stitch on previous row and pull up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times.
ch: chain

dc: double crochet
fphdc (front post half double crochet):
Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around post of half double crochet one row below, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook (this is worked on odd # or right side rows)
fptr (front post triple): Yarn over twice, insert hook from front to back around post of stitch on previous row and pull up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times.
hdc: half double crochet
hdctbl: Half double crochet worked in the back loop
hdctfl: Half double crochet worked in the front loop
sl st: slip stitch
sp: space
tr: treble

GAUGE: In order to ensure correct finished measurements, accurate stitch and row gauges must be achieved.

TO CHECK GAUGE: Cast on at least 20 stitches, using the yarn and needles specified in the instructions. Work pattern for 3". Bind off all stitches. Using a ruler as a guide, count the number of stitches and rows over 2". (Do not include selvage stitches or cast on and bind off rows) Divide by 2. If this number is MORE than given in the instructions, try a size larger needle and again check your gauge. If the number is LESS than given in the instructions, try a size smaller and check your gauge. The needle size you use does not matter as long as the stitch and row gauge is accurate.

BINDING OFF ACROSS CABLES: To decrease when binding off across the top of a cable, knit 2 together then bind off this stitch - this counts as 2 stitches bound off. This is done to keep the cable from flaring out on the bind-off row and helps keep the shoulders and neck from stretching.

STEAM: Lay the piece Wrong Side down on a padded surface and cover with a pressing cloth. Press lightly with a steam iron. Set iron down carefully, do not drag as this will stretch piece. This method will allow you to manipulate fabric and achieve greater length or width if desired. It will also set stitches and even out stitch quality for a more professional look.

STEAM LIGHTLY: Lay the piece Wrong Side down on a padded surface and move steam iron slowly back and forth 1" above piece. Do not allow iron to touch knitted fabric. Steam will allow knitted fabric to blossom. Selvages and ribbings will lay flat. This method may not allow you to block pieces larger or smaller.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH LARGE NEEDLES: When working with large needles and gauges, it is very important that you knit a swatch at least 6" square to check both stitch and row gauge, then adjust needle size if necessary. You should also check gauges periodically as you knit as they may vary. With large gauges, even a small discrepancy can make a big difference in the size of your finished garment. When finishing, sew through 1/2 of each edge stitch to keep seams narrow. Seams may be sewn with thinner yarn in a matching color, if desired, for a neater appearance.